Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

Blanc's expression darkened as he witnessed Ben Arfa's behavior.

Since taking charge of the French national team, what set him apart from his predecessor Domenech was his strong emphasis on team discipline.

Early in his tenure, he had refused to call up the main culprits from the South Africa World Cup mutiny, those players like Evra, Anelka, Ribéry, Toulalan, and Abidal. For this European Championship, he had only brought Ribéry and Evra, giving the captain's armband to Lloris instead.

At this moment, Ben Arfa sat sulking on the bench.

Blanc held back his anger for now. With the team trailing, he needed to focus his energy on finding a way to turn the match around.

However, even after Blanc made substitutions, France's attack showed no improvement.

Alou Diarra had even begun throwing his hands up in frustration at his teammates.

He was clearly displeased with the forwards' individualistic and halfhearted approach to the game.

France pressed Sweden for the entire match, right up to the eightieth minute.

There was still no breakthrough.

French fans watching this version of their national team were genuinely falling asleep.

Even the French domestic commentator said helplessly, "Benzema, Ribéry, and Nasri continue to play as individuals. Ribéry's isolated attempts at breakthrough, Alou Diarra's anger at his teammates' passing errors, even Blanc's helplessness when Mexès picked up a card, in all these things I simply can't see any hope of victory.

Does France always have to rely on special players like Platini or Zidane?

You have to understand, such players only come along once every generation, every twenty years or more.

France's over-reliance on key players has been a problem for thirty years. How far can this kind of French team go in the brutal knockout stages? I don't dare to think about it. I even question whether this France team can make it to the knockout rounds at all."

In the stands, French Football Federation officials and French legends all had deeply furrowed brows.

Federation president Le Graët looked at Blanc on the sideline, his mind was already made up now.

Blanc, who had been in charge of France since 2010, and he still hadn't renewed his contract with the French Football Federation. His current deal would expire on June 30th.

This European Championship was a crucial measuring stick.

From current appearances, he wasn't measuring up.

Perhaps the team needed a stronger coach. Zidane? Or maybe Deschamps?

In Corsica, Bastia:

Whether watching at home or in bars, fans were cursing Blanc, "Idiot! Put De Rocca on!"

Even a few fans at the stadium were chanting Julien's name.

But Blanc looked up at the scoreboard, his mind was replaying his decision: the French team needed a complete overhaul.

Blanc had tried, but ultimately couldn't fully control the dressing room.

However, he had found his direction. Just as he had thought when watching De Rocca play and chatting with Zidane.

Sometimes you have to break things down to build them up.

He wanted to leave France with a super core like Zidane!

He also wanted to rid the French team of its bad apples.

Blanc turned to his assistant coach and said, "Get Ménez and Giroud ready to come on."

His assistant was somewhat surprised.

He was thinking: Not bringing on De Rocca? He could already hear the fans calling for him.

Soon enough.

At 83rd minute, there was dead ball.

Giroud and Ménez stood at the sideline as Nasri and M'Vila were substituted off.

All three substitution slots used up.

De Rocca couldn't come on.

The Bastia fans felt disappointed.

But even more disappointing was the French team itself!

Just as France had made their substitutions, before they could even create any changes, Sweden struck through Granqvist's long pass from the right side of their half, connecting with Wernbloom, who burst into the right side of the penalty area and crossed.

Holmén's left-footed volley at the far post hit the crossbar with a bouncing shot, and Sebastian Larsson was there to tap home the rebound into an empty net.

2-0!

The Swedish players celebrated excitedly, they could see qualification within reach.

France's fighting spirit was completely gone.

"BOOOOOOOOO"

The fans let out a chorus of boos. Familiar faces in the stands shook their heads and left their seats.

There was no need to watch any longer.

France had lost and lost humiliatingly.

When the final whistle blew, the entire group situation became incredibly complex, as England had beaten Ukraine in the other match.

This meant all four teams had exactly 3 points!

Anyone could qualify!

The French players returned to the dressing room with their heads hung low.

Julien and Giroud were walking together towards the bench.

And Julien said to him half-jokingly. "Congratulations on your European Championship debut."

Giroud forced a smile. "But I couldn't score like you did."

"You did very well," Julien said, not exactly consoling Giroud. He had come on and had one excellent chance, just missing the goal by inches.

As Julien and Giroud reached the dressing room door, they could already hear arguing coming from inside.

"What kind of football was that? 24 shots and not a single goal! That's your efficiency! Those last ten-plus minutes, anyone watching would think we were leading.

When we should attack, you're passing the ball around; when we should control possession, you're taking wild shots. And when we lose the ball, there is no pressing, you just leave it to us defenders to clean up your mess!"

Alou Diarra, as a veteran with enough seniority, let them have it.

But Nasri wasn't having it.

He was already a troublemaker, and having just won the Premier League, he was feeling quite confident. "You play in Ligue 1 and haven't won any trophies, what gives you the right to criticize us?!"

This comment was like carpet bombing: it successfully offended several other players who also took issue with Nasri.

Julien and Giroud quietly took seats in the corner after entering.

When Blanc saw the situation escalating, he noticed Ben Arfa looking at his phone.

Blanc immediately snapped, "What are you looking at? If you want to look at your phone, go home! Is this the place for checking your phone?"

Ben Arfa exploded. "If you're not satisfied with me, I'll go home right now!"

This made the dressing room atmosphere extremely tense.

Nasri naturally sided with Ben Arfa, as fellow Premier League players, they had a natural affinity.

Other players also quietly divided into factions.

The Premier League group, the Ligue 1 group, the white French players, the black French players...

De Rocca sat in the corner, silently watching this group's arguments and undercurrents. The team was essentially falling apart.

Of course, France's infighting at this European Championship wasn't the worst, Holland/Netherlands took that crown.

After their first group match, their dressing room had completely collapsed.

They had basically locked in their ticket home after the group stage.

The tense atmosphere in the French dressing room quickly dissolved as players left.

But everyone's hearts were filled with dissatisfaction.

Julien took no action in this farce. He was fully implementing what Zidane had told him.

Looking at it now, Julien felt that Zidane had long seen France's problems and wanted him to protect himself. However, while he didn't want to do anything, someone wanted him to do something.

Blanc approached Julien again, and directly asked him in front of Giroud. "For the next match, who do you want to start alongside you?"

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