Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

"Europa League?"

Hearing Julien's question, Hadzibegic nodded and explained Julien's confusion.

"I know you must be wondering why the club is now trying to win the French Cup when we were ready to give up on it before."

Hadzibegic looked at Julien. "The reason is simple: because of you."

"Because of me?"

"Yes. Let me put it this way—if it weren't for you, we probably would have been eliminated from the French Cup already and wouldn't have these ambitions now. On the other hand, and this is just my guess, not necessarily the real reason."

Hadzibegic paused, seeming to organize his thoughts.

He continued, "Châtaigner wants to create as big a platform as possible for you. The French Cup is one example, and the Europa League is another. You can simply understand it as Châtaigner wanting you to showcase yourself in front of more people, to display your talent in more important matches, and then sell you at a better price."

He gestured to the scattered newspapers on the table. "These media reports about your transfer rumors are also an important reason for Châtaigner's decision. It's all about increasing your value before bigger clubs buy you, so the club can get more transfer fees."

Julien fell into thought.

Hadzibegic didn't speak in riddles.

He continued bluntly, "Of course, you can also understand it as Châtaigner adding to your bargaining chips before you leave Bastia. So, when you negotiate with new clubs—whether for a starting position, playing time, or salary—you'll have enough leverage."

"Châtaigner told me long ago that we should try to go further in the French Cup. It's just that your call-up to U21 and the rumors linking you with Wenger and Arsenal disrupted his plans. He had to accelerate his timeline."

"Do you understand now?"

Julien nodded.

With Hadzibegic's clear explanation, he understood perfectly.

This was win-win!

Bastia would get higher transfer fees, and he would have more leverage when negotiating with his next club.

Châtaigner was willing to choose the two-front battle for his sake.

Now he needed to respond with action—goals and victories.

Hadzibegic smiled and patted his shoulder. "Don't feel pressure, but don't relax either. Work hard. This is a big gamble for all of us. Let's go crazy once. Like we said before: for the championship!"

"Alright."

"Good, that's settled then. Focus on training." Hadzibegic was dismissing him, but added, "In the match against Lens on the 13th, you'll be a substitute. For most league matches going forward, I'm planning to have you start from the bench and come on in the second half. We're focusing on cup competitions."

"Oh, and," Hadzibegic seemed to remember something and warned, "I know you're doing extra training. Don't overdo it—protect your body. A healthy football talent is still a talent; one lying in a hospital bed is useless. I don't want you becoming one of those players fans describe as 'great when he plays, but he rarely plays.'"

"I'll be careful," Julien nodded.

When Julien left the office, reflecting on Hadzibegic's words, he exhaled deeply. He had thought this would just be about focusing on Ligue 2 development.

Now they were challenging Ligue 1 clubs and even aiming for European competition.

Julien felt excited.

Who wouldn't want to step onto the European stage? That was where the best teams battled, where the finest players competed.

Even if it was just the Europa League, it was the highest level of competition Julien could currently reach.

Of course, the prerequisite was winning the French Cup!

March 13th.

Lens, Pas-de-Calais department, Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, northern France.

Stade Félix Bollaert.

The team nicknamed "les Sang et Or" (the Blood and Gold), Racing Club de Lens, attacked in waves under the frenzied cheers of over 20,000 home fans.

Visiting Bastia capitalized on a Lens mistake in under ten minutes, with Maoulida gratefully accepting the gift to take a one-goal lead.

Lens then pressed forward frantically.

Bastia decisively sat back and played counter-attacking football.

Playing away, Hadzibegic was perfectly rational.

He absolutely wouldn't abandon defense to attack Lens head-on, despite the massive spaces left behind their defensive line.

Lens's attacking style was their trademark. Last season they were still in Ligue 1, but in the first half of the season under coach Jean-Guy Wallemme, they suffered defeat after defeat.

In the winter window, the club fired Wallemme.

Actually, having come through Lens's youth system as a player, Wallemme had taken over the financially chaotic club in 2008 purely out of love for his boyhood team.

But he ended up shouldering the blame for the club's management chaos and rising debts.

In winter, Lens brought in Claude Puel, who had previously coached Rennes and Monaco, as a firefighter.

They still finished 19th in Ligue 1 and were relegated directly.

This season, Lens fired Puel and brought in Jean Garcia, who had just resigned after five years coaching Angers, hoping he could lead them back to Ligue 1.

But the club's finances were what they were.

Jean Garcia had managed the team for 26 rounds, currently with only 34 points, sitting 11th in Ligue 2, nearly ten points away from the playoff zone.

Promotion was already very difficult.

On the pitch, it looked like a half-field attacking drill.

The home fans gasped with each Lens attack.

However, Lens players embodied the spirit of "three times past the goal but never scoring."

At halftime: 14 shots, only 5 on target, 0 goals.

Jean Garcia watched from the sidelines, his brow furrowed.

This season's team performance clearly hadn't met expectations. He knew that if things continued this way, he'd be saying goodbye at season's end.

But what could he do?

This squad's ceiling was just this level, and the board wouldn't provide reinforcements.

Soon, the first half ended.

Lens 0-1 Bastia, heading into the break.

The Ligue 2 commentator said, "The biggest problem facing Jean Garcia now is that their attack can't break through, and they're a goal down. For Lens to win at home won't be easy.

Bastia has been so fierce this season they don't look like promoted side, leading the table through consistent victories.

Especially since Hadzibegic hasn't even brought on De Rocca yet—this isn't even Bastia's strongest lineup.

De Rocca has been Bastia's biggest discovery this season!

He recently earned his first call-up to France U21 and scored his first international goal against England U21.

If Bastia brings on De Rocca with Lens playing this way, their defense will be under enormous pressure!"

Both Jean Garcia and Hadzibegic understood this.

So, when the second half began, the commentator was quick to spot a familiar face in Bastia's lineup.

"Hadzibegic has made a change—De Rocca is on the field!"

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