Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

TF1's commentator, after announcing the match suspension, solemnly explained to viewers, "Playing in thunderstorms isn't just about heavy rain affecting performance, more importantly, lightning poses life-threatening dangers."

He then recounted the 2007 tragedy at Italian club Lecce.

During that time, Lecce had been competing in Serie B. Their 42-year-old coaching staff member, Giorgi, had been killed by lightning during training.

During Lecce's training session, sudden heavy rain had brought thunder and lightning. Training was interrupted and players began seeking shelter.

Giorgi had wanted to collect the training equipment before taking cover, but tragedy struck in those few minutes. Lightning hit him directly, and he collapsed immediately. Medical staff rushed to provide emergency treatment, but he ultimately died.

After this incident, the Italian Football Federation had decided that all Italian league matches that weekend would observe a moment of silence for him before kickoff.

With such precedent, referees had to be cautious during thunderstorms.

As players left the field. Fans in the stands also began leaving to seek shelter, as some sections lacked overhead cover.

Entering the tunnel. Giroud chatted cheerfully with Julien, "You scored again. Honestly, I'm even thinking of transferring to Bastia to play with you. Your breakthrough ability could create many opportunities for me too."

Julien smiled and said. "You'd also pull defenders away and create space for me, but you should stay content at Arsenal. That's the big stage, Bastia is too small."

Giroud asked back, "What about you? Why are you willing to stay at Bastia?"

Julien gazed at the torrential rain outside the tunnel entrance.

His gaze penetrated the downpour, as if seeing all of Bastia, the cheers of Ultras Bastia, their TIFO displays; the giant screen on the Terra-Vecchia center building; those fan letters addressed personally to him arriving at the club.

Scene after scene flashed like slides.

Julien answered after a moment of silence, "Because I feel I can't leave. I still need to bring more to Bastia."

Giroud was stunned. He had already won two trophies, and he wanted more?

This response made Giroud feel that De Rocca didn't sound like a seventeen-year-old at all.

Could it really be as the media said—that De Rocca's prison experience had completely changed his character?

He didn't know.

In the tunnel, everyone watched the heavy rain outside, uncertain how long it would last.

Kuipers explained his decision to coaches from both teams.

He also provided a verbal explanation to UEFA officials responsible for this match, with a written report required later.

Rumble.

Another thunderclap echoed through the venue.

Lightning appeared once more in the sky above Donbas Arena.

↓↓↓

The France-Ukraine match was suspended.

So, fans turned their attention to the other match: England versus Sweden.

The contest between them was fierce. All four teams had three points, to advance, they absolutely could not lose!

England had taken the lead in the 23rd minute. Gerrard had crossed from the right, with neither Granqvist nor Mellberg able to maintain tight marking. Unmarked Carroll had powered home a header.

After that, Sweden had had chances under Ibrahimović's leadership but had failed to capitalize.

Both teams entered halftime with England leading 1-0.

Meanwhile, the heavy rain at Donbas Arena showed no signs of stopping. UEFA was urgently studying their options:

Wait, or postpone?

Players had returned to their respective dressing rooms.

"Julien, well done."

Blanc embraced De Rocca, who had already changed clothes, patting his shoulder and giving him a thumbs up.

Julien smiled.

Blanc continued, "I have great faith in what Zidane said. From when we played together, he's always had such certainty about football. When he says there's a chance, there's a chance. Similarly, when he says you can become the core of the team, I believe that too. Now you've once again proven Zidane's eye for talent."

"I think this match might not be my last with the national team. Let's win this one and top the group."

"Yes!" Julien nodded firmly.

However, regarding whether they finished first or second in the group, he didn't think it made much difference.

Finish first: face eventual runners-up Italy.

Finish second: face eventual champions Spain.

There was not much difference.

Blanc reviewed tactical arrangements based on the ten-plus minutes they had played so far.

Time passed in waiting. Players from both teams kept moving to prevent their bodies from cooling down and their form dropping.

Good news: the rain was beginning to stop. They would continue the match.

Players returned to the tunnel. Julien happened to encounter Shevchenko.

However, they couldn't communicate.

As a Ukrainian who had spent his career in Serie A, Shevchenko only fluently spoke Ukrainian and Russian, plus Italian.

He also knew some English.

Meanwhile, Julien currently only spoke French and Corsican, plus the broken English from his previous life's school years that he had long since forgotten.

Julien nodded at Shevchenko with a smile.

Shevchenko gave a thumbs up and said, "Bravo."

This counted as universal football vocabulary, widely used in Italian, Spanish, and French.

It typically meant great or brilliant.

Julien awkwardly responded, "Thanks."

Then Shevchenko moved to the front of Ukraine's formation as he was the captain.

Meanwhile, Julien wondered: since Shevchenko wanted to retire now, might there be a chance to persuade him to play one year at Bastia?

After turning 30, Shevchenko had been increasingly troubled by injuries. His speed and explosiveness had clearly declined from his peak at his AC Milan period but his positioning awareness, shooting technique, and match experience as a striker remained at high levels.

After leaving Italy, injury problems and adaptation issues at Chelsea had limited him to just 25 appearances with 8 goals, failing to secure a starting position.

But returning to Dynamo Kyiv, over 3 seasons he had made 84 appearances scoring 36 goals. Though not as efficient as his peak, he could still contribute steady output as the team's core.

His current finishing ability, aerial prowess, and penalty area instincts remained excellent. He just depended heavily on teammate support.

His solo breakthrough ability and long-distance sprinting had basically declined completely. Plus, stamina issues aside, he was a veteran after all.

But Ligue 1's overall slower pace and moderate physicality were relatively friendly to experienced veterans.

Moreover, if he really came to Bastia, he wouldn't need solo breakthrough ability. He would just need to be a pivot and finisher.

From a competitive standpoint, Julien genuinely thought it could work.

Only Shevchenko's current salary level would be difficult for Bastia to manage.

He currently earned about 1.5 to 2 million euros after tax annually at Dynamo Kyiv, which ranked among the top in the entire Ukrainian league.

Even for mid-to-lower Ligue 1 teams, it wasn't a small amount.

Plus, Shevchenko preferred to end his career at his home club, so even if Bastia were interested, the actual transfer possibility would be quite small.

"Go."

Kuipers waved to signal players onto the field.

Julien put aside his thoughts and followed his teammates onto the pitch.

Entering the field, fans had returned after the rain stopped, once again filling Donbas Arena to capacity.

The cheering continued!

Players roughly resumed their positions from when play had been suspended. Kuipers brought the ball to the last player who had touched it, signaled to everyone, then...

Tweet!!

He blew the whistle for a drop ball.

The play resumed!

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