Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

"Fight! France!"

"Fight! De Rocca!"

Modoso's voice was already hoarse. All the chants he had prepared were finished.

Now they only had the simplest slogans, they had no melody, no rhythm, just pure love for football!

"Fight! De Rocca!"

With their hoarse voices, facing the celebrating Italians who were about to advance, they could no longer make the entire stadium hear them.

But they continued shouting.

Mbappé's face was expressionless, like a sculpture. Only his eyes kept tracking the ball on the pitch proved he wasn't actually a statue.

Giroud and the others had similar expressions. Only little Ethan didn't yet understand his father's and brothers' emotions.

He didn't yet comprehend what a quadrennial European Championship meant.

To him, this was just a football match, and the kind that happened every month, even every week. But Ethan's curious gaze kept moving, seeing that everyone around him had the same expression.

Something in his heart was stirred.

"Kylian."

Ethan tugged at Mbappé's jersey.

Mbappé looked down at his brother, he was not very big, but his little head was held high. "We're definitely going to win!"

Mbappé smiled and ruffled Ethan's little head, not answering him. He turned back to look at the pitch.

Will we win? Maybe we will.

When do you feel time rushing by so swiftly, so fleeting? When do you desperately want to press pause, even for just one more second?

Is it the moment before the shutter clicks at graduation? The last golden edge as the setting sun touches the horizon? Or the final notes of the station announcement as your lover turns away?

No, none of those.

It's now, in the eyes of French fans, watching the time on the scoreboard.

88:26

With each passing second, their hearts sank a little deeper.

On the French bench, Benzema's lips curled into a disdainful sneer. Seeing France about to be eliminated, Blanc was also about to face his final moments with the national team.

Benzema couldn't hold back anymore.

So, what if they didn't select him?

What good did it do to ban Nasri and Ben Arfa?

Without them, who could step up for the French team?

Was it that big oaf who was 25 and still playing for a mid-table Ligue 1 club? Or that skinny kid who hadn't even grown into his body yet?

Now, weren't they still going home?

In the stands, Italian fans had already begun getting excited, urging the referee to blow the final whistle.

Emotional French fans, especially the women, already had tears welling in their eyes.

On the sideline, the fourth official raised the injury time board, two minutes.

The French players on the pitch could already feel despair spreading.

Italy's defensive line seemed like a wall, blocking all their hopes on the other side.

Julien rolled on the ground. He pounded the turf, then immediately got back up. The linesman next to him signaled for French possession.

Chiellini had just taken down both player and ball together again.

"De Rocca! Come on!!!"

"De Rocca!!!"

In the stands behind the linesman, French fans were pumping their fists and shouting his name even though their eyes were red with tears.

France had no way back! Almost everyone except the center-backs had moved into Italy's half.

France took the throw-in.

After receiving the ball, Cabaye didn't pass to De Rocca but pushed it forward through the center.

Italy's chain defense quickly followed up, like a net that tightly trapped France's attack. But France's attack was determined to break free from the cage!

Bang!

Cabaye was pressed by Montolivo's challenge and passed to Matuidi.

Matuidi, fresh off the bench, had the working legs. He quickly pushed forward.

Giroud made a horizontal run, trying to find space.

Italy's defensive line began to move.

On the right wing, Julien could already feel the burning in his lungs, it was the sign of severely declining stamina.

But he saw an opportunity!

"Donne-moi!"

He planted his foot and made a checking run, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Give me the ball!"

Matuidi had been watching Julien's position. Ever since their connection against Ukraine, their relationship had been good.

The moment De Rocca called out, Matuidi played a ball over the top. He couldn't play it through on the ground, he was afraid it wouldn't make it through.

The over-the-top pass was a bit deep and difficult for De Rocca to control, but he knew Matuidi had done well just to get the pass away.

Julien didn't hesitate. Taking advantage of Chiellini's turn, he exploded into action, planting his foot and leaping! He reached the ball's landing spot half a body length ahead.

Chiellini didn't dare make rash movements inside the penalty area, but he still gave Jullien plenty of physical contact. From his previous defending against Julien, he knew the young Frenchman's physical strength was average.

However, this time, when he made contact, he didn't knock De Rocca down.

Julien only stumbled. It looked like he wouldn't be able to control the ball.

Whoosh!

The next moment, all the fans in the stadium gasped as Julien, after the contact with Chiellini, although he didn't fall, was clearly off balance. But he used his left foot in a back-heel flick!

He chipped the ball back to himself!

Chiellini's momentum was carrying him toward the goal line. His large body couldn't adjust as quickly as Julien's.

Julien twisted, used Chiellini for leverage to quickly turn around, brought the ball down, then immediately pulled it across his body!

Whoosh!

This drew another gasp from the entire stadium!

Chip and turn!

Chiellini realized what was happening and quickly turned to charge at De Rocca. Bonucci, who had been marking Giroud, rushed over to cover.

At this moment, Julien was like a bright moon in the dark night, drawing everyone's attention.

"De Rocca..."

French fans whispered softly, hope in their eyes, their hands unconsciously rising.

They didn't shout loudly: they were afraid of disturbing De Rocca.

Their eyes followed De Rocca's every touch, every cut. Their hearts felt like the football at his feet, rolling back and forth.

Gulp.

The Sunset Coffee Tavern fell into deathly silence. Someone's involuntary swallow could be clearly heard.

Everyone's eyes burned with fiery hope!

De Rocca, De Rocca! De Rocca!!!

Everyone was screaming this name in their hearts.

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