Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca

May.

For French football fans, the biggest attraction was the ownership of the Ligue 1 championship. This time was different from Lyon's previous dominance, and different from Lille's early title victory. The championship battle between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier had reached a hot stage.

It would likely take until the final round to determine the champion.

Actually, before the winter break, PSG had been sitting comfortably at the top of the table. However, during the winter break, Paris Saint-Germain's head coach was replaced by Ancelotti.

After a strong start with three consecutive wins, the team began to fall into a strange cycle of draws.

From rounds 23 to 29 in Ligue 1, they collected 5 draws in 7 matches, watching helplessly as they handed the initiative to their competitors.

Montpellier seized this heaven-sent opportunity. After the winter break, they went 5 wins and 1 draw, with the only draw being their direct confrontation with Paris.

In round 25, Montpellier successfully reached the top, and after one draw, they went on another dominant five-game winning streak.

Since round 29, Montpellier had firmly occupied the first position in the league.

Regarding this situation.

PSG's 17th president in club history, the Qatari Nasser Al-Khelaifi, was extremely dissatisfied. He constantly emphasized within the team that they must fight for the Paris championship.

Qatar had acquired PSG and injected so much transfer funds, buying players on a large scale. If they couldn't even win a Ligue 1 championship, wouldn't that make the Qatari side think he was an incompetent president?

However, regardless of whether they could win the title this season, PSG's Champions League spot for next season was secure.

Currently, Ligue 1 only had two Champions League main tournament spots.

With PSG's points, winning the title still required Montpellier to slip up, but second place was guaranteed.

So, Nasser was already discussing next season's transfer plans with the sporting director, PSG legend Leonardo.

Leonardo had played for PSG for two seasons before transferring to AC Milan.

Nasser and he had already set their main summer window target on AC Milan.

Everyone knew that Serie A giants were having tough times and would have clearance sales to make up for financial deficits.

The team had already started contacting Ibrahimović, Thiago Silva, and others, and everything was progressing smoothly.

But Nasser had another idea. "What are the chances of us signing that striker De Rocca from Bastia?"

Leonardo was well aware of De Rocca, this currently highly-watched French talent who had successfully made it into the French national team while still in the second division.

His future looked promising. If PSG could buy such a player, it would improve both the team's strength and image.

It would prevent French people from thinking that after the Qataris took over Paris, they only bought foreign players and didn't develop domestic talent.

But the question was. would he come?

"Didn't the media say that De Rocca personally promised to stay at Bastia?" Leonardo said.

Nasser was full of arrogance. "I don't believe there's anything money can't solve. If there is, it's just that we haven't offered enough money yet. Let's try."

Leonardo nodded.

This summer window, they had basically finalized the transfers of Ibrahimović and Silva from AC Milan for a package price of 65 million euros.

Ibrahimović's annual salary would also exceed 10 million euros.

Then they were also poaching Italian super talent Verratti, with PSG having to pay over 10 million euros in transfer fees.

It could be said they weren't short of money.

The Qataris were aiming for the Champions League title!

Could little Bastia, a team with unhealthy finances, a car rental company owner, resist tens of millions of euros in transfer fees?

And could a young player like De Rocca resist the temptation of a big club platform?

Compared to the suspense of the Ligue 1 championship. The only suspense in Ligue 2 was the ownership of the direct promotion spots.

The championship?

It was Bastia!!

So, before the last match, Hadzibegic didn't let De Rocca play.

Whether against Le Mans or Nantes, Bastia had given away points.

But this was harmless.

During this period, Chataigner was extremely busy, whether it was the team's own cleanup and contract renewal work, or contacting prospective players and communicating transfers with other teams, everything was energy consuming.

For a full half month, Chataigner hadn't paid attention to the team's situation.

This period was also the most relaxed moment for all of Bastia.

Many players' trainings had become somewhat relaxed.

Only Julien was different. He trained as usual every day, taking advantage of the lack of match duties to try to improve his attributes further.

His teammates understood his behavior as working hard to make it onto the French national team roster for the European Championship.

They were half right.

May 19th.

Stade Armand Cesari, the final round of Ligue 2, round 38.

All Ligue 1 teams' matches started at the same time. After this match, this season's Ligue 2 would be settled.

Bastia welcomed their opponents Istres at home.

This team was also one where Giroud had spent a year.

Before the match, the two made a pact. "See you in the national team."

Today, after Ligue 2 ended, tomorrow Ligue 1 would also welcome its final round. Julien wished Giroud could win the Ligue 1 championship.

Giroud asked him once more. "Are you really unwilling to try for Arsenal next season?"

He had already confirmed his signing with Arsenal, only lacking the signature on the contract.

In Giroud's view, Arsenal's Wenger was the boldest coach in promoting young players, he was the best choice for young player's development.

But De Rocca chose to stay with the team.

Julien's reply was. "Arsenal already has plenty of talent, they don't need me, but Bastia needs me."

Boom! Boom boom!!

In the player tunnel, Julien could already hear the roar of fans throughout the stadium.

This was already the second half.

Julien hadn't played in the first half. During halftime, Hadzibegic substituted Julien in, letting him play the last half of the season.

Bastia's fans seemed to know about this arrangement. So, this halftime entrance was full of ceremony.

When the referee led the players onto the field.

Julien was the first to walk onto the pitch.

The atmosphere at Stade Armand Cesari instantly reached its peak!!

"De Rocca!!"

Everyone shouted with all their might.

At the same time.

Boom! Boom boom boom!!

Members of Ultras Bastia in the north stand beat their drums with all their strength, enveloping the entire stadium in shocking sound.

Whoosh!

Amid the fans' amazed cries, a TIFO that usually only appeared before matches appeared for the first time during halftime at Stade Armand Cesari.

This TIFO wasn't that spectacular, nor that complex.

It was just a giant silhouette portrait of De Rocca, along with a huge banner - "U ghjornu chì tù sceglie Bastia, Bastia abbraccia u fuballu."

This was the sentence Bertrand had written.

Julien tapped his toes on the sideline, walked onto the field, and waved to the fans.

He stood in the center circle waiting for kickoff.

At this moment, Modoso in the north stand raised a new lyric prompt card, and after three drum beats.

The fans sang the latest song made for De Rocca, "Le Soleil de Bastia."

The Sun of Bastia—

"Sea breeze sweeps across Stade Cesari,

You carved Bastia's name on the double crown throne—

Julien de Rocca! Our captain!

Trophies brimming with Mediterranean moonlight,

While Europe's giants circle in the summer winds.

Neon cities can't outshine the harbor's thousand sails,

No mountain of gold can buy blue-blood passion.

We've seen too many meteors fade,

But only you stand, a lighthouse on our city walls.

Child of Fontaine-au-Pire,

Can you hear the North Stand roar?

Storms may break the rocks,

Saint-Tropez's yachts may crumble to sand,

But Cesari's flag will never fall!

You are our sun—

Bastia's never-setting light!

Raise your voice, Furiani—

DE ROCCA! DE ROCCA! DE ROCCA!!!"

When the song rang out.

The Ligue 2 broadcast cameras stayed on De Rocca, giving him close-ups.

Many Bastia fans who couldn't make it to the scene applauded for Julien from various places.

Sunset Café Bar.

Glass wine cups clinked together. One drink after another went down.

Julien staying at Bastia, even for one more season, was the most beautiful form of football in their hearts.

Beep!!

The referee blew the whistle.

The fans' singing didn't stop, accompanying De Rocca's breakthroughs and dribbles, filling all of Stade Armand Cesari with Bastia's passion!

In the half, Julien didn't score.

This was more like Hadzibegic letting Julien go up to receive the passionate enthusiasm of the home fans.

No need to score, now just standing there, he was already Bastia's spiritual totem.

Double crown winner!

This was a season to be written into Bastia's century-long club history.

The name Julien De Rocca would also become the most brilliant entry in Bastia's history!

When the referee's final whistle sounded.

Julien had the ball last, and he kicked it high into the air.

All Bastia players roared.

One season was over.

The word 'Perfect' was appropriate to describe this season.

Double crown winners! First time in club history!

Stade Armand Cesari was boiling!

Rich blue fireworks and smoke filled the entire stadium.

Cheers and shouts were endless.

Players embraced each other under the fireworks, and Hadzibegic also walked onto the field, embracing each player.

Finally, everyone gathered together and shouted—

"FORZA, Bastia!!"

At the Ligue 2 championship ceremony, De Rocca again lifted the trophy as captain and took a group photo with his teammates.

After the award ceremony ended.

Hadzibegic also brought over the French Cup championship trophy. "Come on, double crown winners!"

Julien took the trophy, holding one in each arm. He stood in the middle. Then the coaching staff, Chataigner and other executives, and Geronimi all stood beside the players. Together they took a group photo of Bastia's double crown-winning season.

After the group photo. It was time for players to take individual photos with the championship trophies. And for player families to enter the field and celebrate together. The De Rocca couple and Loup all entered the field to take photos with Julien.

"Congratulations, Julien, you finally achieved your dream. We're very gratified," His mother hugged him tightly.

They had once thought Julien was done, but unexpectedly, the prison experience had actually allowed him to rise from the ashes.

The current Julien was so unfamiliar he barely seemed like her child.

Except for his appearance, his eyes and usual tone were nothing like the incredibly arrogant and overbearing problem youth from her memory.

"Julie! You're amazing! I can often hear your name even in Paris!"

Loup ran over to hug his brother.

Julien ruffled his hair. "Hey, don't call me that, you brat. Train well in Paris, and strive for us to watch your championship ceremony in person someday."

"Okay Julie----an!"

Loup answered teasing, and the Pierre couple both smiled.

Since Julien started taking football seriously, the family atmosphere had improved. With Julien as an example, the other children were all working hard in their respective endeavors.

Then Pierre said. "I never interfere with your decisions. I hope you can win championships next season too. Also, Mané has a particularly good relationship with his agent. We couldn't sign him completely, but we've agreed on 20% ownership, though it'll cost 300,000 euros."

Julien nodded. "It's fine, we'll sign as much as we can. The key is, is he willing to come to Bastia?"

Pierre smiled. "Of course. Chataigner and I told him you wanted to be teammates, and he agreed to join Bastia without hesitation. Chataigner promised Mané, some Europa League playing time. Now we just need to negotiate with Metz."

"Hmm."

This was good news.

At least next season Bastia would have Mané and Kanté, which would definitely be fine for Ligue 1.

Julien just chatted briefly with Pierre. Chataigner and Hadzibegic both came over to chat with their family.

In their words, they all praised the De Rocca couple, complimenting them for raising such a good child.

The 2011/12 Ligue 2 season ended just like that.

Top three. Bastia, Reims, Troyes.

Relegation zone. Metz, Boulogne, and bottom-placed Amiens.

Julien won the Ligue 2 Golden Boot with 19 goals, ahead of Reims forwards Faure 15 goals and Ghilas 14 goals.

Julien also deservedly became this season's Ligue 2 Player of the Year and Best Newcomer with his excellent performance, and was selected for the Team of the Season.

Bastia also swept numerous awards.

Becoming this season's biggest winner in Ligue 2!

Historic double crown winners.

That day, Julien received too many congratulatory messages, many with slight regret in their words.

Regret that Julien chose to stay at Bastia.

Like Wenger, Leonardo, and others.

But there were also those who firmly supported Julien.

Like Zidane.

He specifically called. "You made a very good choice. Proper Career planning when one's so young is very important. I'm happy you weren't blinded by momentary success. Big club benches have worn away countless talents' inspiration. I'm glad you won't be the next one. Next season, I look forward to your performance on the European stage."

"Finally, congratulations on your double crown."

The next day in Bastia, everywhere were season summaries and various news praising the team and De Rocca.

However, outside Bastia. French fans were all waiting for the final round of Ligue 1 results.

The championship battle between PSG and Montpellier still continued to the final round.

Julien didn't go to the scene. He watched the entire broadcast at home.

And Ancelotti became runner-up again.

Montpellier came back from behind 2-1 away against already-relegated Auxerre, while on another pitch, Paris Saint-Germain also reversed the score in the second half with goals from Pastore and Motta.

But they could only finish second, 3 points behind.

Montpellier made history.

For a time, all of France was discussing that French football might really be rising.

France's two most important championships - the Ligue 1 championship and French Cup.

This season's final winners were both not traditional powerhouses.

Montpellier and Bastia were just small clubs.

Yet they were dark horses to the end, becoming champions!

At the same time, Other European leagues also determined their final champions. And created quite a few miracles.

Premier League. Manchester City won their first Premier League title in club history, creating the "93:20" miracle;

La Liga. Real Madrid went 32 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses, a perfect league campaign, their 32nd title in club history;

Serie A. Juventus, after seven years, went unbeaten with 23 wins and 15 draws, 84 points to win the title;

Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund retained the Bundesliga title after 16 years, setting a new Bundesliga single-season points record with 81 points;

Champions League.

Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties in the final to win Champions League.

Europa League: Atlético Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao in an all-Spanish final, ending the club's trophy drought of over ten years.

Julien followed European football.

His heart was full of anticipation. France held significant influence on the European continent, but its football's influence was declining.

He would ultimately have to prove himself on the European stage.

However, before next season arrived. Now all of European football was waiting for next month's biggest European event—

The European Championship!

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