Tottenham's dejection formed a stark contrast with Bastia.
At the post-match press conference, Hadzibegic had lost his usual composure, his face was flushed with excitement as he said loudly, "This is one of the greatest matches in Bastia club history! It's not about the scoreline—it's about the soul!"
"Tonight everyone was a warrior! I believe you all saw what every single Bastia player gave."
The journalists nodded slightly. It was true. Bastia tonight had been fierce—not just Angoula using his head to challenge for the ball against feet and ending up bloodied, but in the final half hour of the second half, multiple Bastia players cramped up, some even suffering muscle strains, yet no one backed down.
Hadzibegic continued, "Everyone burned themselves out, collapsed with cramps, but our will never broke! This is the backbone of Corsica!"
"After that epic victory in Paris, we were running on empty!
But this 0-1 scoreline doesn't define the match! It defines our unparalleled, infinite desire for victory! What we defended was those golden away goals we fought for in London! What we defended was all of Bastia's dream!"
"Of course—"
After his excited speech, Hadzibegic returned to his usual demeanor. "We've only advanced to the Round of 16. We're still far from the ultimate goal. The dual pressures of league and Europa League still exist, and many of our players have suffered varying degrees of injury. We still face difficulties ahead, and our next Europa League opponent is Inter Milan—another top-tier giant."
From Stade Armand Cesari back to the Bastia training base, the journey normally took at most ten minutes, even in relatively heavy traffic.
However, tonight Bastia's team bus took a full hour.
Some Bastia fans who hadn't gotten tickets to the match followed the team bus in celebration, then fans leaving the stadium joined in, and so it got slower and slower.
By the time the bus finally returned to the training base, the players were too exhausted to speak.
Mainly because tonight's match had truly drained everything from them.
Chataigner told everyone, "The club is giving everyone tomorrow off. Rest as well as you can. This month we still have two league matches, next month we have Europa League. I hope everyone can maintain their best form! Let's go as far as possible!"
The players nodded.
When Julien and others returned to the dormitory, Van Dijk, Angoula and others still had to go to the medical room for further examination—they might have muscle strains.
Julien looked up at the quiet night sky, his mind still echoing with the passion of Stade Armand Cesari.
At certain moments, people are always emotional, even making irrational decisions based on a momentary feeling.
Julien was probably like that then. He gazed at the night sky, his mind filled with those voices of Bastia fans chanting "Julien."
If he could, he really wanted to be a one-club man. But reality wouldn't allow it.
Opening his phone back in the dormitory, there were many messages from acquaintances congratulating him on advancing in Europa League.
However, some were especially concerned about him, like Deschamps.
Deschamps wrote in his message: "Good lad, you'll become a Bastia super legend, but before that, you need to watch your health, understand? You must always remember that the national team needs you very much!"
Reading this message, Julien could imagine Deschamps' expression of wanting to say the national team should come first but too embarrassed to suggest holding back at the club level.
Julien had a certain assessment of his physical condition. As long as no accidents occurred, he should be able to hold up.
Next month's pressure would be quite heavy.
On the 7th and 14th, two Europa League knockout matches against Inter were crucial games.
Late in the month, on the 22nd and 27th, they would consecutively face Georgia and Spain in World Cup qualifying group matches.
The match against Spain would directly determine next year's World Cup direct qualification spot.
Julien naturally didn't want to play playoff matches. That would add extra match burden.
Julien replied to each message one by one. Most people immediately replied back, though he didn't respond again.
However, Deschamps' reply didn't suggest ending the conversation. Instead, he proactively brought up another topic.
"I heard you refused Manchester City? I could understand when you refused PSG before, but why refuse City this time? Though I don't know what you're thinking, do you want to hear some advice from someone who's been there?"
As Julien was thinking about how to reply, Deschamps called directly.
"Haha, sorry to disturb your rest. Congratulations on eliminating Tottenham and advancing. You're now truly famous across European football—quite a few acquaintances have called me asking about you."
Hearing Deschamps' words, Julien knew he was helping pass along messages again.
Sure enough, after Julien responded with a few sentences, Deschamps said, "Juventus—I think it would be a good place for you."
"They're ambitiously rebuilding their dynasty, just reclaimed the Serie A throne, and are aiming straight for European supremacy.
You know, we French have always had an inherited tradition with Juventus. Think of Platini—that Ballon d'Or winner reached his peak at Juventus, defining that era!
Then there's Trezeguet, who grew into a world-class striker in Turin. Not to mention myself and Zinedine, who both played for Juventus for many years.
I know Juventus understands how to make great French forwards!"
"Mm, Juventus has been in constant contact with Pierre. I just haven't had deeper contact yet. Juventus is one of my backup options for my next club," Julien replied.
Deschamps didn't say much more. He was only passing along a message anyway, as he said—a request from an old friend.
After hanging up, Julien fell into thought. Juventus?
He had considered Juventus before, but as someone who had time travelled, he knew very clearly that Serie A would completely decline, so he had always been thinking of going to the Premier League.
However, plans couldn't always keep up with changes. Now his Premier League options were actually becoming fewer and fewer.
So, go to Italy?
Serie A still had its last glory. Going now, he could still catch Serie A's tail.
After thinking for a while, Julien shook his head, clearing these thoughts away.
Don't overthink it. Focus on Bastia first, and wait to see these clubs' sincerity.
Anyway, there weren't many clubs that could sign him.
This was strength!
Thinking this, Julien glanced at his attribute panel. After consecutively defeating PSG and Tottenham, his victory points had reached 120.
He could open another victory chest.
Thinking about the intensive schedule ahead, and having no time for intensive training to improve attributes, Julien didn't hesitate much.
He chose to exchange for a chest!
[Exchange successful!]
[Victory Points -100]
[Obtained: Victory Chest ×1]
When opening the chest, Julien hesitated slightly and made a cross in his chest.
[Opening Victory Chest ×1] [Obtained Random Enhancement Ability—Shooting Attribute Receives Advanced Enhancement!]
'Huh?!'
When Julien saw the chest contents, he was initially wondering why he'd drawn shooting enhancement again, but when he looked carefully, it was different!
This time it was advanced enhancement!
'Does this mean it's stronger?'
Julien couldn't help but carefully read the advanced enhancement description.
[Shooting Advanced Enhancement: Finishing Instinct
When shooting attribute reaches 80 and you're in an effective shooting zone (inside or outside the box, range size correlates with strength attribute), in the instant before striking, sensing precision for goal dead zones—theoretical hardest areas for goalkeepers to save—increases by 30%.
Note: This sensing is an instinct like muscle memory, requiring no deliberate observation, but Finishing Instinct effectiveness decreases when stamina falls below 40% or when physically fatigued.
Additional Effect: Last Stand—When stamina drops below 40%, you can choose to activate this effect. This shot's power increases by 40%, shooting attribute temporarily increases by 20%, and shot speed receives additional boost. However, this shooting motion places extreme load on leg muscles. Using it once will reduce current stamina by 50%. Forcing activation when stamina is below 10% guarantees injury.]
After reading everything, Julien sighed once more—nothing beats opening chests for quick gains!
This enhancement was incredibly powerful!
Improving sensing of theoretical dead zones—didn't this mean that besides performing excellently in open play, he could also excel with free kicks?
He'd need to verify this in actual matches. But even without free kick bonuses, this was already quite overpowered.
Practicing dead zone sensing was extremely difficult!
Not only did you need expert knowledge of positioning on the pitch and goal location, you also needed extremely delicate footwork.
This gave him more confidence facing Inter in the Round of 16.
The remaining 20 victory points—Julien didn't use them. Maybe he could save them and farm another wave of points in Europa League.
Take another gamble!
By this point, Julien was exhausted too. He fell asleep contentedly.
Meanwhile, across the channel in England, Tottenham's elimination by Bastia caused huge waves.
All outlets reported on it.
Sky Sports cleverly used Julien's former club Chelsea and their coaching problems to focus their coverage on Julien:
[Benítez's temporary coaching stint at Chelsea seems to be approaching its end.
Despite a big win over Wigan temporarily easing relegation pressure, British media generally believe the Spaniard is unlikely to receive a permanent contract from Abramovich in the summer.
Benítez himself seems to know this. He recently gave an interview to Spanish National Radio, unusually revealing deep feelings for Real Madrid: "My contract with Chelsea runs until season's end, and I'll give my all. Madrid has a manager under contract who's very determined (Mourinho)—you have to respect that."
He further stated, "As a manager, you always have your heart's allegiance. I have a great bond with Madrid fans... I'm a Madrileño."
These "love" declarations undoubtedly link him closely with the Bernabéu hot seat.
At the same time, rumors about Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge are intensifying.
Mourinho has publicly stated multiple times that he has no problems with Abramovich and congratulated him on the Champions League triumph, clearly intending to repair the relationship.
Plus, Blues fans' calls for "the Special One" make this highly dramatic comeback drama still possible.
Former Chelsea great Vialli revealed that Juventus manager Conte is also high on Chelsea's shortlist, though Conte may prefer to stay at Juventus another year.
However, while Chelsea's managerial position remains unresolved, an 18-year-old Corsican rising star is becoming the absolute focus of the transfer market with performances that shock Europe, potentially even influencing the Blues' future squad-building philosophy—he is Julien De Rocca, the core winger who just led Bastia to eliminate Tottenham and advance to the Europa League Round of 16.
Bastia's Europa League elimination of Premier League powerhouse Tottenham—2-1 away in the first leg, 0-1 home in the second, advancing on away goals has caused huge waves in English football.
At just 18 years old, he has shown world-class potential and immediate impact on European competition's highest stage. His value has skyrocketed to an astonishing 60 million euros, placing him among the world's most expensive players!
According to reliable sources, Manchester City's management has clearly made De Rocca their top summer target, determined to offer an extremely tempting Premier League top-salary contract and promising to build the future squad around him as its core.
However, Manchester City isn't the only suitor.
Real Madrid advisor and French legend Zinedine Zidane has an excellent personal relationship with De Rocca and greatly admires his talent.
Zidane is actively using his influence to recommend this French compatriot to Madrid's leadership, hoping to bring him to the Bernabéu to become a sharp attacking blade for the Galácticos' future.
At the same time, De Rocca has deep connections with Chelsea.
He played for Chelsea's youth academy from ages 14-16, showing exceptional talent. However, the temperamental young player had a fierce conflict with a Russian teammate and verbally abused club owner Abramovich, and ultimately was ruthlessly released.
This unpleasant experience once brought their relationship to a freezing point.
Now, facing this top-tier rising star who's shining brightly on the European stage with skyrocketing value, will Chelsea owner Abramovich set aside past grievances and re-evaluate De Rocca's value through purely football and business lenses?
Considering De Rocca's demonstrated enormous potential and market value, plus Chelsea's consistent ambition in the transfer market, the possibility of Abramovich letting bygones be bygones and joining this battle for genius is far from fantasy. Successfully signing him would not only be a huge boost to squad strength but also a powerful correction of that past "oversight"...]
Finally, Sky Sports concluded: [Chelsea's managerial changes remain a suspense drama, but Corsican rising star Julien De Rocca's meteoric rise has undoubtedly added a new, explosively volatile variable to the Blues' future.
This super-talent who once had an unpleasant experience with the Blues is attracting frenzied pursuit from Manchester City, PSG, Real Madrid and other clubs with his indisputable ability and potential.
Will Abramovich set aside old grudges and re-embrace this genius once expelled, in football's name?
This will be one of this summer's transfer market's most anticipated mysteries.
Regardless of who ultimately wins, De Rocca's name is destined to become this transfer window's brightest central point.]
________________________________________________________
Check out my patreon where you can read more chapters:
patreon.com/LorianFiction
Thanks for your support!