Corsican Dreams, French Revolution: Part 1
This is my FM21 blog. Taking control of the weakest team in France’s third tier. I have created the fictional character ‘Marcu Padovani’ and will write this as a third-person report. Somewhat in homage to Joe McGinniss and ‘The Miracle of Castel di Sangro’.
Born in the city of Ajaccio in September 1981, all Marcu Padovani wanted to be when he grew up was a footballer. When his local side AC Ajaccio reentered the French football pyramid in 1992, the 10-year-old’s hopes had a chance of becoming a reality.
New owners, led by Alain Orsoni, had a plan to reach Ligue 1 in just 10 years and young Padovani wanted to be part of their journey. Beginning his youth training as a teenager, his early years saw him show promise as a smart, but combative midfielder. He would charge around the pitch, winning the ball off the opposition, before picking out sweeping passes with both feet. It looked like they had a star on their hands.
As Les Acéistes charged through the lower divisions, so was Padovani. At 16 years old, the senior team were finding success in the now named National 2, France’s fourth tier, and the teenager was making his way in the Under-19 squad.
Yet, as one story would continue to flourish, Marcu’s would end abruptly. An innocuous challenge during a cup fixture saw the midfielder go down clutching his right leg. Tests after the game would confirm a very bad ACL tear, followed up with damage to his MCL too.
Over the next five seasons the Corsican club would reach France’s top flight, but Padovani’s playing career was over. Despite his desire to rehab and come back stronger, various knock on injuries and setbacks stopped him finding full fitness, and by the time he reached his 20s, his promise was all but gone.
Resigned to his fate, he found it very difficult to reconnect with the game as a spectator. The club he had been a part of would spend the first half of early 2000s enjoying life in the Division 1, but in his 20s, Padovani couldn’t share in their success.
Eventually his family and contacts within the club convinced him to give coaching a try. It started as a part-time gig, helping with the U10s a couple of nights per week, his day job in an office was still the priority.
Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces brought back memories of his own youngster days on the training ground and a passion started to burn inside.
Through the years he would move up the coaching ladder, enjoying success with the U17s and U19s, part of the team who helped the youth sides enjoy great runs in the Coupe Gambardella U19 tournament.
He was impressing people across the island of Corsica and it was deemed only a matter of time before he was brought up into the first-team set-up. Struggling in Ligue 2, the prospect of a relegation battle was very real and the club didn’t feel they could promote from within, with Alex Dupont, Albert Emon, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Christian Bracconi preferring to bring in their own coaching staff.
Padovani was already looking elsewhere when current boss, Olivier Pantaloni made his return to the club in 2014. Three years later and it seemed across the island a new opportunity had peaked the now 37-year-old’s interest.
The merging of CA Bastia and FC Borgo in July 2017 gave the locals a new club just south of the city to support. They would start life in National 2, but under President Joseph Orsini there was an air of optimism surrounding the Borgo Sports Complex.
Sensing this opening, Padovani — unlikely to find a chance at ACA anytime soon — packed his bags and travelled the two hours north to Bastia, willing to take a chance on a new club, even though he has spent his life believing they were the enemy, perhaps this new club was exactly what he needed.
Handed a chance to be part of the reserve side playing in the regional Corse-Mediterranée league, the plan always seemed to quickly move the coach up the ranks, but no one quite realised just how quick.
Expectations were exceeded as they finished seventh during their debut season in National 2 under the management of Christophe Taine and Benoit Tavenot. It was then when Jean-André Ottaviani took over that Padovani was given a chance to join the coaching staff.
FCBB would finish second on 54 points, but since it was FC Nantes II who topped the division and they cannot be promoted to National, the side only two years old would take their place.
A 38-year-old Padovani had caught the ear of his manager and was a trusted aid at Ottaviani’s side, tactically astute, but also young enough to have an understanding of the players. His assistance was crucial in helping the young side finish the COVID-19 hit season in 13th place.
Only one point from the relegation zone after 25 games, there’s no knowing what would have happened within a full campaign, but Bastia-Borgo would live to fight another day.
Ottaviani surprised everyone by handing in his notice, but Orsini didn’t panic. With the smallest stadium in the division, the smallest wage budget and no money to spend on transfers, there was only one man for the job.
Step forward, Marco Padovani.
The 2020/21 season would see a journey that started as a hobby, take full flight, in charge of his first senior team.
Pre-season predictions have Bastia-Borgo finishing dead last. Padovani has a thin squad to work with. There is no money to spend and the funds for wages are difficulty thin. This was not going to be easy.
After speaking to the 39-year-old and the young club, I was invited to join them for the season. Given full access to the players, staff and Padovani himself. For a whole season I will live and breathe Bastia-Borgo.
There’s no doubt this journey will have its ups and downs, but the hope is to document one of the most intriguing stories in French football, whatever happens and wherever this adventure takes us.
Forza Borgo, Forza Marcu, Forza FCBB
