Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

"Do you think we have a chance?" Deschamps asked as he and Zidane walked toward the VIP box.

Zidane smiled and shook his head. "Of course, I always believe France will win."

Deschamps didn't pursue this topic further and asked another question. "Want to try joining the national team?"

This time Zidane really shook his head. "I'm doing well at Real Madrid."

"If you want to come, you're always welcome."

"If you want to come to Real Madrid, I can introduce you too."

"Haha, let's go quickly, don't keep them waiting."

Deschamps hurried toward the box. Tonight, several old friends would watch the match together.

Zidane lagged a few steps behind.

Thinking about Deschamps' earlier question, he sighed softly. Deschamps was asking if he wanted to join the France team as an assistant coach, Deschamps had already confirmed he would take over France after the European Championship.

Blanc hadn't renewed with the French Football Federation, and Deschamps had been refusing to renew with Marseille, waiting for this day.

When he entered the box, Zidane felt relieved.

He had given up the opportunity himself. He wasn't ready to be a head coach, and Deschamps was now the most suitable choice for France.

Blanc had blazed a trail that needed someone with high standing in the French team to consolidate.

His position in the France team was unquestionable, but he wasn't confident enough in his coaching ability.

He worried about wasting the opportunity Blanc had created through self-sacrifice, and about misleading young talents like Julien.

Deschamps had at least proven his ability as a head coach with multiple teams. He felt comfortable leaving France to Deschamps.

Whoosh!

When Zidane entered the box, the players had already taken the field, and fans erupted in intense cheers.

"Come on, we've been waiting for you two." FFF President Le Graët smiled as he greeted them.

After some conversation, several people moved to the viewing area at the front of the box.

As soon as Zidane reached the stadium-facing side of the box, he was drawn to a sight—he saw the name "De Rocca."

Crystal clear "De Rocca" in the stands!

Zidane was somewhat surprised.

Many people at the scene were very surprised.

In the stands directly opposite the box, a dense crowd of fans in blue jerseys had some fans in white shirts among them. These white jerseys formed strokes that connected to spell out "De Rocca."

"This kid's popularity is really high."

Deschamps and others also saw it.

Their eyes sparkled with expectations for Julien. In their youth, they had fought, worked hard, and given everything for this team. Now seeing a promising successor filled their hearts with comfort.

"Louder! Let them hear our voices!" Modoso shouted in the crowd.

Rolling waves of sound—

"Corsica's lightning stride! From Clairefontaine to Bastia, you carry our pride! Blue blood in your sweat, victory in your veins— With every step, you break the chains!

Julien! Julien! You're the hurricane's cry! Your shots blaze through like fire in the sky! Forza Bastia! Turchini's sword! Julien De Rocca—our god, our lord!"

Less than a thousand Bastia fans, in Kyiv's Olympic Stadium that could hold seventy thousand, made their voices from Bastia heard!

On the field, players from both teams stood in the center circle, waiting for kickoff.

The Italian players responsible for defending their left flank, De Rossi, Bonucci, Chiellini frequently glanced toward Julien.

This was what Prandelli had emphasized in pre-match deployment. they must closely mark this opposing player.

Their goal was to give Julien no chances tonight.

Accompanied by the passionate atmosphere from the stands, the tension on site grew increasingly thick.

The De Rocca family nervously awaited the match's start.

The Mbappe's, Kanté, Mané, Chataigner, and others all focused on Julien. The Bastia fans' pre-match passion filled them with anticipation for next season's matches at Bastia.

Perhaps someday they too could become players as important to Bastia as Julien, with Bastia people chanting their names?

Broadcast cameras continuously swept across the stands. Many former stars from both Italy and France were watching from the stands.

They even spotted Chelsea owner Abramovich.

Some fans wondered, "Why is Abramovich here? Do either of these teams have Chelsea players?"

"It seems only France's veteran Malouda is from Chelsea. Could he be here to scout and poach players?"

"Don't you all remember? Julien! Julien spent several years in Chelsea's youth system and is now France's hottest new star. Abramovich definitely wants to see him in person, maybe he'll throw money to bring him back to Chelsea."

"Didn't Abramovich release Julien? Now he wants to bring him back?"

"There are rumors in England that Chelsea is preparing to loan players to Bastia to help them avoid relegation."

"That's so generous!"

Soon, the referee blew the whistle to start the match.

Italy kicked off.

The TF1 commentator said, "Blanc emphasizes a 4-2-3-1 formation focusing on attacking balance and wing attacks; Prandelli's Italy uses a 4-3-1-2 or 3-5-2 formation to control midfield, combining flexible defense with quick transitions. Simply put, one focuses on wings, one controls midfield—let's see who's more efficient."

Just after he finished speaking, with barely a minute on the clock.

Bang!

Pirlo used a long pass that made French defenders' hearts skip a beat.

The long ball tore through France's defensive layers, connecting directly to Balotelli on the right wing.

Balotelli was very excited from kickoff. After receiving the ball, using his extremely strong physical attributes, he bulldozed past Rami.

He forcefully carved out a gap on the right wing.

Whoosh!

Italian fans' biggest surprise this European Championship was Balotelli, his physical attributes were truly explosive.

Prandelli's attacking tactics were simple. give Balotelli freedom in the final third, using his physicality, technique, and movement to stretch the defense.

Just like this time!

Balotelli rapidly pushed to the edge of the penalty area. He glanced at the goalkeeper, then at the center.

Perhaps learning from his previous lesson of overthinking a one-on-one and losing the ball, this time after a brief pause, he continued with his next move.

Bang!

Powerful shot!

The ball flew straight toward goal. Goalkeeper Lloris was caught off guard by Balotelli's glance toward the center and failed to make a save.

Clang!

But the post saved Lloris. Balotelli's shot hit the right post and bounced back, with Mexès quickly clearing it away.

Whoosh!

Italian fans let out surprised exclamations, the scoring chance had come so quickly!

The commentator exclaimed, "Post! This is Italy's first shot hitting the post in the European Championship since Grosso against France on June 17, 2008! The opponent was France both times! France's posts really are Italy's nemesis! Oh my god! Julien!"

Mexès' clearance flew toward midfield. Giroud found his chance and, in an aerial duel with Barzagli, headed the ball toward Julien's direction.

Julien ran over and used his chest to control the ball two meters in front of him, then started quickly to push forward.

But after just two steps with the ball, De Rossi came sliding in from the side, taking down both player and ball.

The Roma vice-captain, who had just rejected Manchester City's £130,000 weekly offer to sign a five-year extension with Roma, got up and wagged his finger at Julien, even saying something in broken French.

"Hey! Kid, don't think you're getting past!"

When Julien felt De Rossi's sliding tackle coming, he had no way to avoid it.

To protect himself, he jumped early.

Hearing De Rossi's words, he didn't lose his temper. These Italian veterans loved using words and small fouls to constantly provoke opponents.

France had suffered the most from this.

As Julien got up, he adjusted his socks and continued focusing on the match.

However, from De Rossi's defense, Julien also realized that tonight, getting past Italy's defense would be very difficult.

Cabaye threw the ball in.

Julien received it.

De Rossi was the first to press him. Julien passed back to defensive midfielder M'Vila.

M'Vila took the ball and wanted to observe the situation, but was immediately pressured from behind by Cassano, forcing a hasty pass back.

But under Cassano's interference, M'Vila's ball handling was clearly careless.

The pass was underhit!

Seeing trouble, Mexès quickly charged forward and cleared the ball with one touch.

Just as he cleared it, Balotelli was in position. Less than a second away from giving Balotelli a one-on-one!

Italy regained possession.

They began pushing forward. In Prandelli's tactics, Pirlo served as the deep-lying playmaker, continuing Ancelotti's "metronome" tactical role.

De Rossi and Marchisio flanked him, forming a triangular midfield, controlling rhythm through short and long passes.

Cassano or Montolivo played as attacking midfielder, linking midfield and attack, supplying ammunition to Balotelli.

Often, Cassano could also make forward runs, leaving Montolivo as lone attacking midfielder.

France's midfield was completely out of control!

They couldn't get the ball at all!

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