Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

February 3rd.

The entire Bastia team traveled to Monaco, the capital of the Principality of Monaco. They would face traditional Ligue 1 powerhouse AS Monaco tomorrow night.

AS Monaco doesn't belong to France but was invited by the French Football Federation in 1933 to turn professional and participate in the French football system.

It's somewhat similar to Welsh teams like Swansea and Cardiff City participating in the English football system.

After all, the Principality of Monaco is just that small, surrounded by France on three sides with one side facing the Mediterranean—it would be difficult to organize a league.

This match had very high attention.

It belonged to Ligue 2's top tier.

It had nothing to do with Bastia—all the attention was brought by AS Monaco.

As a foreign team, Monaco has been very successful in Ligue 1.

From their promotion to Ligue 1 in 1953 until the current 2011/12 season, they've won 7 Ligue 1 championship trophies, five French Cup titles, and four French Super Cup championships.

Many famous coaches and stars have moved from here to bigger stages, like Wenger, Deschamps, Henry, etc.

It was worthy of being called a Ligue 1 powerhouse.

However, the current Monaco has internal and external troubles and is not what it once was.

To keep the team in better condition, Châtaigner chose not to arrive in Monaco on the morning of the match.

Instead, they arrived a day early. Although staying an extra night would increase expenses considerably, keeping the players in good condition was worth it.

After arriving in Monaco, Châtaigner told the players, "Today's task is to focus on rest! Tomorrow night, focus on the match! We won't talk about three points, but we also want to fight for one point to take home!"

Secure a draw first then try to fight for a win!

This was Bastia's goal.

Before the match, Monaco's head coach Marco Simone was somewhat overwhelmed.

Facing the formidable Bastia, Marco was completely confused—the match was almost here, and he still didn't have specific tactical arrangements.

This was Marco's first coaching job after retirement.

But he didn't seem to be doing well.

He was currently being boycotted by Monaco fans, who wanted him to step down.

When he took over from predecessor Banide, the team was winless in 6 rounds—four draws and two losses.

After taking over, it hadn't gotten much better.

After 21 rounds completed: 11 draws, 7 losses, 3 wins.

This former quality Milan shadow striker's coaching career was far from as brilliant as his playing career.

As a player, after coming through Como's youth system, he transferred to Milan at 20 and played 9 seasons, making 260 appearances for the Rossoneri with 75 goals and 36 assists, winning more than ten championship trophies including four Serie A titles and two Champions League titles, earning him a place in Milan's Hall of Fame after retirement.

Unfortunately, now facing a Ligue 2 team Bastia made him sigh repeatedly.

The 42-year-old wished he could be ten years younger and play himself.

He felt frustrated to death.

Playing football was much simpler.

"Boss, how do we prepare for tomorrow?" his assistant asked.

Marco ruffled his messy hair. The Italian was somewhat disheartened. "Just play like before—5-3-2, just defend properly!"

Italians seemed particularly obsessed with defense.

"Okay, I'll brief them tomorrow."

February 4th.

Stade Louis II, evening around seven or eight o'clock.

Even though the team had fallen to Ligue 2, fans remained loyal. The 18,000-capacity stadium was packed.

This match was still scheduled for the 8:30 prime time slot.

That afternoon, other Ligue 2 matches had already finished.

This showed the league's respect for AS Monaco.

It was just unfortunate that this season's Monaco was destined to miss promotion.

Due to financial crisis, Monaco's chairman and head coach changed frequently. The team's performance hadn't improved for several years. After avoiding relegation in Ligue 1 for several years, they were finally relegated to Ligue 2 last season for the first time in 35 years.

Monaco fans' only expectation now was for the team's internal affairs to be quickly sorted out and to start fresh.

According to some French media reports, Russian capital was already planning to take over AS Monaco this season.

However, negotiations were currently still ongoing.

Boom! Boom boom!!

At 9 PM.

Stade Louis II was bustling with noise. Every Monaco player's defensive action could trigger a series of fan cheers.

The Monaco vs Bastia match had been going on for half an hour.

Neither side had scored.

"Monaco is playing defensive counter-attack at home. Bastia's positional attack isn't outstanding. They're constantly pressing forward, but haven't broken the deadlock yet."

The Ligue 2 commentator changed topics, "However, Bastia still has a good ace up their sleeve to look forward to. Their recently renewed 17-year-old prospect Julien De Rocca.

Previously, Julien helped the team win in two consecutive matches, including reversing Ligue 1 team Valenciennes in the French Cup—his talent is amazing.

I wonder when Bastia plans to bring on Julien in the second half..."

At the same time.

Many gambling fans were also nervously watching the action on screen.

"Why isn't Julien on yet!"

"Put Julien on quickly!"

"Damn it, Bastia, you're costing me everything. Won't you let me recover a bit now?!"

They were probably the group most hoping for Julien to come on.

However, some people felt pessimistic, "With the defensive wall Marco's set up, even putting Julien on won't work—he needs space."

"Yeah, it's over. This match won't end in a draw, will it."

On the field.

Julien stood up for his regular warm-up.

When he walked to under the away section stands, Bastia's traveling army of fans erupted in thunderous noise.

"Julien!"

"Hey! The team's attack is in your hands!"

Julien smiled and waved at the fans as a response to their enthusiasm. He saw many people wearing his number 29 jersey.

His heart stirred. This was recognition from the fans.

This time the traveling army was very large. Monaco gave Bastia 1,500 tickets, all were sold out.

There were far more fans than the sparse one or two hundred people from the last match. So, this match, Bastia's momentum was also extremely impressive.

The sound of "Fight Bastia" was endless.

Beep!!

When the referee's half-time whistle sounded, both sides were still 0-0.

Such a score obviously left fans on both sides somewhat unsatisfied.

Monaco fans felt that at home, their team should have scored to be worthy of them.

While Bastia fans saw their team's possession rate was incredibly high, yet they couldn't effectively convert it into attacks.

Before half-time ended.

Bastia fans in the away section were already shouting Julien's name at the bench.

Expressing their wishes—bring on Julien.

This match Hadzibegic was suspended due to his red card from the last game and was prohibited from entering, so he could only watch from the stands. Therefore, Dominique was still in charge of on-field command.

In the dressing room.

After Dominique finished arranging tactics, he specifically found Julien, "Hey, the boss specifically told me to put you on at the 60-minute mark. Get ready."

"Okay." Julien nodded.

Then, Dominique added, "Also, the boss has another message for you. He said, 'Kid, as long as you can tear open their defensive wall, you'll get a chance to start in next match.'"