Chapter 51: Bastia at the Gates — Second Half – The Weight of Control
They walked out in the same shape they entered. No handshakes this time. Just noise. Valley Parade heat pressed against the lights. The stadium sound had changed—more edge than celebration. Like the crowd knew something else was coming.
Demien stood near the fourth official, hand on Xabi’s back as he stepped into position. Cissé jogged off without complaint, sweat streaking across his jaw. A quick clap to Bernardi. That was it.
Xabi didn’t speak to anyone. Just found his spot. Dropped into the base and waited for the whistle.
It came.
Bastia kicked off, launched it long, but Rodriguez took it clean on the chest and played to Givet without pressure. One pass, then two. Monaco’s rhythm snapped back into place like it never left.
Forty-eighth minute.
Xabi drifted left, feinted receiving, then cut back center—intercepted a lazy square ball from Bastia’s eight and poked it forward before his foot hit the ground. Bernardi met it on the run, tapped it back.
One-two.
Xabi stepped into space.
No rush.
He lifted his head and saw the gap instantly—Giuly wide, fullback too high.