The referee's whistle pierced the anxious atmosphere of Stade de la Meinau. Extra time had begun—thirty minutes to decide whether Bradford's European dream would thrive or perish on French soil.
Both teams moved with heavy legs. Ninety minutes of intense European competition had drained reserves that domestic football rarely tested. Yet Bradford possessed something Strasbourg lacked—momentum fueled by their history of impossible comebacks.
Cox bounced on his line, his gloves clapping together steadily. The young goalkeeper had commanded his area with increasing authority as the match progressed. Each save bolstered his confidence, which radiated through Bradford's defensive line.
Barnes and Fletcher stood closer together, their partnership strengthened by the relentless pressure. Communication had improved out of necessity—every header, clearance, and covering run was executed with a precision born from shared struggle.
