Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

Bastia's attack was, in a sense, quite simple.

In the eyes of most people who had watched Bastia matches, there was only one attacking pattern—pass the ball to Julien, then watch Julien perform.

As for whether Julien's final choice was to pass or shoot himself, that was another matter.

Anyway, the attack would definitely go through Julien's handling.

So, Garde had already deployed heavy troops on the right flank today. Aly Cissokho was just the first barrier.

Additionally, there was Lacazette's defensive tracking, the defensive midfielder's strangling of Julien, and center-backs sliding over to help defend.

Garde knew that no single position could complete one-on-one defense against Julien, so he would let a group of people defend!

However, When Julien carried the ball forward, it still made Garde's heart tighten.

When Lyon lost possession during their attack,

The ball came to the right flank.

Julien received the ball with his back to goal from midfield, and with just a shoulder feint, he deceived Cissokho's center of gravity.

Then he turned and changed direction.

Cissokho could only use his physical advantage, extending his foot between Julien and the ball, fouling to bring Julien down.

Whistle!

The whistle sounded.

Chapron gave Bastia a free kick, but unfortunately, such a long-distance free kick really didn't have much use.

Hadzibegic was definitely not satisfied, he was roaring at the fourth official on the sideline, "Shouldn't this be a yellow card? This was completely going for the man!"

But there was no response.

Garde saw that although the referee didn't give a yellow card, he couldn't be happy.

This was just a glimpse.

No card this time didn't mean no card next time.

Because this also meant that despite Cissokho's beast-like physique, he still couldn't stop a player with Julien's agility.

Getting carded was probably just a matter of time.

After getting up, Julien glanced at Referee Chapron, calculating the referee's standards for tonight's match.

At the same time, His mind recalled this French baldy's famous scene—he had knocked down a player on the pitch and still gave the opponent a yellow card, causing him to be sent off with two yellows.

This scene happened in a Ligue 1 match between Nantes and PSG in the 17/18 season. Mbappé was on a counterattack when a Nantes defender accidentally collided with Chapron during a defensive run, and both fell.

Chapron immediately gave the Nantes defender a "leg sweep," retaliating by kicking the player, and crucially, after getting up, he still gave the defender a yellow card.

This incident caused an uproar after the match. The French Football Federation's decision was a nine-month suspension, but Chapron simply retired and stopped being a referee.

That match also became the last match of his refereeing career.

However, at this time, Chapron was still a relatively reliable French referee.

Rothen stood at the free kick spot.

Bastia players didn't commit many players forward.

Whistle!

With the whistle, Rothen didn't pass to the center this time, but instead passed the ball to Julien's feet on the right flank again.

Julien held the ball outside the right side of the penalty area, but Lyon's players had already taken their positions.

Cissokho once again stood in front of Julien.

Julien stopped without moving, just feinted twice with his left foot on the ball. Cissokho remained unmoved.

On the right flank where Julien was positioned, it was entirely the Bastia fan section.

They were shouting wildly.

"Julien! Get past him!"

"Show him what you're made of!"

Among them were also some curses directed at Cissokho, including unfriendly racist remarks.

Julien feinted twice more with his left foot.

Suddenly, he passed back. Rothen came to receive it.

Then Julien quickly started running forward, going around behind Cissokho. Cissokho instinctively reached out to block Julien.

At the same time, Rothen played a through ball behind Cissokho.

Julien was being held back by Cissokho's hand, putting him in a quite passive position, but his long legs allowed him to reach the ball, flicking it toward the byline.

He pushed Cissokho away and went toward the byline.

In that instant, the opportunity emerged.

Maolida in the center quickly followed up. Julien's touch was a bit heavy, and by the time he caught up to control the ball, center-back Lovren and defensive midfielder Gonalons had already caught up.

The two formed a front-and-back blockade of Julien's path.

At this moment, Julien demonstrated the ability of a top-class winger.

He dribbled toward the byline.

Lovren quickly followed, but during the run, just as Julien was about to reach the byline, he suddenly poked the ball through Lovren's legs.

Gasp!

The fans let out a collective gasp.

Lovren realized something was wrong and didn't go for the ball first, but instead tried to block Julien's path!

He charged forward two steps, wanting to position himself in Julien's running lane.

But Julien's start was very quick this time!

He was half a body length ahead of Lovren. In the penalty area, Lovren didn't dare foul, and could only bump into Julien.

Julien twisted his body, staggered, braced himself with his hand, and quickly rushed toward the ball.

Gonalons had already realized something was wrong, as had goalkeeper Lloris.

Both rushed toward the ball.

Julien also rushed over. All three arrived almost simultaneously.

Seeing the situation, Julien quickly pulled back his foot.

As a forward, there were some balls that weren't worth forcing.

Lloris and Gonalons clearly hadn't communicated. Both went for the ball and collided with each other.

Lloris wanted to grab the ball, but Gonalons wanted to clear it.

One grabbed.

One kicked.

The ball was squeezed out of Lloris's control.

Julien made an almost instantaneous reaction. His left foot, like a juggling act, flicked the ball up while immediately following with a volley.

After taking this shot, Lloris instinctively tried to save again, but it was too close—there was no time.

Swish!

The ball thundered into the net!

After shooting, Julien lost his balance and fell, but seeing the goal, he immediately got up.

He rushed toward the Bastia fan stands.

Boom!!

At this moment, the entire Stade de France had already exploded the instant the goal was scored.

Over twenty thousand Bastia fans erupted in wild cheers and shouts that crossed the Mediterranean from Bastia to resound on Parisian soil!

"Julien!!"

"You're simply a god!"

"That was so cool!"

In front of Julien, the fans in the stands were incredibly excited, pumping their fists at Julien, shouting, even wanting to get closer to Julien, pushing toward the front of the stands.

If not for security, they probably would have wanted to rush onto the pitch.

In their passion, Julien spread his arms wide, fully embracing this moment that belonged to him!

Fully embracing these cheers that belonged to him!

The King of Césari Stadium had descended upon the Stade de France!

The faith of the Corsican people had arrived in Paris!

"Goooooal! DE ROCCA!!" The broadcast commentator's voice was incredibly excited, drawing out the sound for a long time.

"It had to be ROCCA! This kind of goal is truly surprising. His breakthrough ability is too strong. Lyon had already arranged heavy defense on the right flank, but still let him find an opportunity.

This is Julien De Rocca—perhaps you can defend against him countless times, but he only needs one chance to create a goal!

Now Bastia and Lyon are back on the same starting line, but I believe that now Bastia fans must be full of hope for this match—they have De Rocca! That's their greatest hope!"

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