Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

"They're playing attacking football against us, and you felt it too—we had many shooting opportunities in the front, right, David, Maoulida?"

Hadzibegic looked at the two players. Though his tone remained neutral and his expression unchanged, just hearing their names called out made both players somewhat embarrassed.

Hadzibegic was pointing out that they had failed to capitalize on so many opportunities in the first half.

Hadzibegic didn't dwell on this point, turning to the other players. "So, in the second half, we'll continue to exploit this. If they want to play attacking football with us, then let's play! We need to increase the pace of our transitions—everyone needs to run!"

"Yes!"

The players responded in unison.

With the team thriving, no one wanted to be a drag.

The halftime break passed quickly.

As the players left the dressing room, Hadzibegic found Julien and said, "Go warm up on the sideline later. I'll bring you on around the 60th minute. You'll have about thirty minutes—make the most of it."

"Okay."

Julien nodded. Thirty minutes was enough for him.

During the first half on the bench, he had already spotted many opportunities in the opposition's back line and was eager to get involved.

The players returned to the field.

Bastia fans at Cesari Stadium cheered wildly.

Their words spoke of goals, victory, and passionate hearts.

Both sides made no halftime adjustments.

Whistle!

When the whistle blew, the match resumed.

The Ligue 2 broadcast camera focused on Julien on the substitute bench.

Seeing Julien, the commentator said, "We can see Bastia's young player, Julien De Rocca, in the shot. He's been Bastia's biggest surprise since the winter transfer window. De Rocca has appeared twice in the league, scoring three goals with remarkable efficiency. He didn't play in the last league match away to Angers. We'll see if he gets a chance today."

Whoosh!

As they spoke, the crowd gasped as David missed another forward run opportunity, shooting over the bar in his eagerness for power.

David grabbed his head in frustration.

The fans were equally disappointed at missing such a good shooting opportunity.

Meanwhile, at Dominique's signal, Julien went to the sideline to warm up.

When Julien appeared at the sideline in his warm-up vest, the fans immediately noticed him.

For this newcomer, Bastia fans held the highest expectations.

Julien's performances in both the French Cup and the league had been too impressive not to generate excitement.

"Julien!"

Fans on the side where Julien was warming up shouted his name.

Julien waved back friendly to the fans.

This brought even more cheers.

On the other side, Furlan saw Julien warming up and frowned slightly.

As an experienced coach, he naturally wouldn't overlook any player on the opponent's squad.

Julien was very talented. If he were under Furlan's management, he would definitely make Julien a starter.

Furlan called his assistant coach and had the team's number 10, Rafael Cáceres, go warm up.

If Hadzibegic had a trump card, so did Furlan.

In last September's first encounter between the teams, Troyes had relied on Cáceres's goal to beat Bastia 1-0.

Today, Furlan was determined to play attacking football against Bastia to the end!

Both sides continued the first half's pattern, trading attacks. Though no goals came in the second half yet, fans were on an emotional roller coaster.

Whether in the stadium, in Bastia's bars, or in Troyes—whether Bastia or Troyes fans—everyone was beating their chests in frustration at their teams' missed opportunities.

At the Sunset Coffee Bar, fans were already shouting, "Let Julien play!"

Seeing such scenes, they couldn't wait for Julien to enter the game.

Hadzibegic didn't keep the fans waiting long.

At the 58th minute, Julien was standing at the sideline.

"Here he comes! Julien!"

"Yes, yes, our goal-scoring opportunity is here. With this much space, as long as they don't sit back, isn't this giving Julien free rein to break through? With Julien's breakthrough ability, even Ligue 1 teams would struggle to defend him one-on-one."

"Julien is definitely stronger than David. David is getting old now—his speed, strength, and stamina have all declined. You can see he's struggling to play the full match."

As Julien stood at the sideline, Cáceres also positioned himself there.

Troyes would make a simultaneous substitution.

"Julien! Julien!"

As the ball went out of play and the referee gestured toward the sideline, all the Bastia fans in the stadium chanted Julien's name.

Hadzibegic and Châtaigner watching from the stands both smiled with satisfaction.

Few young players could earn such recognition from the team's fans.

Julien had achieved it.

As David came off and hugged Julien, he said, "You're more popular than I am. Stay sharp, don't embarrass us—score a couple more goals."

"Rest well," Julien replied, but didn't finish the thought.

Julien tapped his cleats at the sideline and stepped onto the pitch.

As he entered the game, the stadium DJ announced loudly, "Number 23 David is coming off, replaced by... number 29..."

The DJ deliberately stretched out the ending.

The crowd cooperated enthusiastically, shouting forcefully—"Julien!!"

The DJ repeated, "Number 29..."

"De Rocca!!"

Cheer after cheer, no technique involved, it was pure emotion.

Julien took his familiar position on the right wing.

Sidibe, tasked with marking him, was under tremendous pressure.

Sidibe was a player developed through Troyes' own youth system, only twenty years old, with both French and Malian nationality.

France's extensive colonial history was reflected in football through the large number of Black players. As time went on, France would become increasingly diverse.

Sidibe had decent talent as a defender and had even been called up to the French U20 team this year. Troyes mainly developed him as a defensive midfielder, but he was very versatile, able to play both left and right back.

For this match, Furlan positioned him at left-back, hoping he could limit Julien.

"Although Sidibe is also young, his defensive abilities are strong. Furlan is setting up a one-on-one between Sidibe and Julien."

To the fans at Sunset Coffee Bar, the commentator's words were absurd.

"He's nothing but a toy for Julien."

"Julien absolutely cannot be single-marked by any Ligue 2 player. Troyes really isn't taking Julien seriously."

"Definitely. Julien's breakthrough ability isn't just about speed or strength—it's about rhythm and technique combined. Julien!!"

Just as the fans were discussing everything about Julien, less than five minutes after coming on, Julien received the ball on the right wing and nutmegged Sidibe!

"He's the nutmeg king!"