At the end of February, Bastia enjoyed relatively comfortable weather by French standards.
While Bastia was preparing at home for their next league match against Nice, Julien found time to meet with Pierre and his older brother René, mainly to discuss building the new website.
René sat in a seaside café, watching the Mediterranean waves crash rhythmically against the shore. He felt his own life was just like those waves—never to be calm again.
His father Pierre had already told René much about Julien's vision for the website.
René felt that his previously peaceful life was finally experiencing a storm, just like the waves.
"Of course, I'm very willing. Everything Julien has proposed is incredibly attractive. I'm well aware that Julien naturally possesses top-tier influence.
Just imagine—if in the future, Julien and his teammates and friends could publish information about transfers, injuries, and so on our website first, what kind of traffic would that bring us! In today's internet world, traffic equals money! We could attract advertising investments from numerous companies."
Listening to René's words, Julien nodded. At least his brother was definitely not someone behind the times. He could tell René was actively embracing the coming information age.
He just lacked an opportunity. And now, he was willing to give his family that opportunity.
Julien said, "Good, then you should move quickly on this. Try to get the website up and running within a month, and test it yourself to make sure there are no problems. Perhaps in May or June, we'll need to officially launch.
As for the money, we'll register a company—consider it our family business. This might just be our starting point; we can expand into other ventures later. I'll inject startup capital, but I need your help."
René nodded, his eyes burning with desire. He wanted to accomplish something great!
As an older brother, he sometimes felt envious watching Julien's shining moments.
Although he couldn't play football, he could prove his worth to the family.
This website was that opportunity.
"I'll do it well! I've already decided to quit my job and dedicate myself fully to helping you with this!"
Julien smiled. "No, brother, this isn't helping me—this is for all of us! This is our family's enterprise."
Pierre also smiled. "Yes, let's not divide things up so much. Doing our work well is the greatest help to the family."
Julien continued, "Don't worry, this website will definitely succeed. You don't need to feel too much pressure. Its innovation lies in absolute control and authenticity.
Imagine this: when a player stands at the penalty spot, his hands are shaking, his stomach is churning, and ten thousand thoughts flash through his mind—his family's faces, the coach's instructions, the regret of his last miss. Television won't broadcast these things, and reporters certainly can't know them.
But now, he can pick up a pen—or speak to a camera—right here, on our platform, and share that moment's fear, determination, even vulnerability, in his own words, completely under his own control.
This website will become the center of the storm.
Think about it—when the next transfer window opens, instead of reporters waiting at doors chasing rumors, players themselves will announce directly on our platform where they're going.
Like the kickoff at Camp Nou, the Bernabéu, or Old Trafford—the whole world will be listening!
Fans will go crazy, media will chase the stories, and all the traffic will converge on us.
This exclusivity, this influence and attention—that's value!"
Julien's speech made both Pierre and René's blood boil. This looked like a project with a truly bright future.
However, René still asked, "This is indeed an exciting future, but I have one concern—why wouldn't others copy our model? And would players really be willing to share these things? They're used to letting agents or press officers speak."
Julien looked at René. "You've asked a good question, but copying a website is easy—copying trust is impossible.
We're the first. We'll establish a kind of credibility, a purity, like the most prestigious club badges, symbolizing 'here is only the players' most authentic voice.'
Think about it—why are some brands worth fortunes? Because they were first to define a certain field.
We're becoming the definers of 'authentic player narratives' in the sports world.
As for the players, who understands the locker room better than me? Who understands players better?"
"Hahaha."
Both men laughed. Yes, that was their greatest advantage!
With a top star like Julien at the helm, how could they worry about recognition?
Julien checked the time. "Alright, I have training in an hour. That's it for now. I'll transfer the money to Pierre soon."
He looked at Pierre. "Put the transfer matter on hold for now. I still need to carefully consider what kind of team is more suitable for me. For now, focus on the website."
He paused, then said, "When the time comes, I'll be the first to post information about my transfer on this website. The first letter—I'll write it."
"Good!"
Both Pierre and René nodded.
René continued asking, "So what should we call our website?"
Without hesitation, Julien said, "The Players' Tribune."
Hearing this name, Pierre and René's eyes lit up. 'Great name!'
It perfectly fit the website's positioning.
After giving the two men some additional instructions, Julien rushed back to the Bastia training ground. After two days of rest, the team was starting formal training.
Tomorrow evening, they would face Nice at home.
Although they currently led PSG by ten points in the league, the pressure remained immense. The best outcome would be to keep winning.
During training, Julien chatted with De Bruyne. "Interested in writing a personal letter?"
De Bruyne frowned. "A personal letter?"
"Yes, like what I wrote in the newspaper before, but now publishing it online," Julien explained.
De Bruyne thought for a moment. "But I don't know what to write."
Julien shrugged. "When you want to write something, find me. I'll publish it and give you top-tier payment."
De Bruyne smiled. "What? Did you sign a cooperation agreement with some media? If it's your request, I don't need money."
Julien put his arm around De Bruyne. "Come on, back to training. Tomorrow night's match, another home game—we must win!"
"Alright."
The next day was a Ligue 1 match day.
Stade Armand Cesari, as always, became the most passionate and boiling area in all of Bastia.
The final result of this match aligned with the deepest desires of Bastia fans.
They won!
Home victory 3-1 over Nice. Julien, who came on as a substitute in the second half, scored twice, helping the team definitively secure the victory.
At the same time, he scored his 40th goal in his first top-level league professional career—a milestone!
When he scored the second goal, all the Bastia fans in the stadium chanted his name.
This was legendary statistics, this was a legendary name!
All belonging to Bastia!
Van Dijk's handball in the penalty area in the final moments, resulting in a penalty, was unimportant.
Regarding this match, Hadzibegic said in a post-match interview with a shrug, "I originally wanted to let Julien rest for a match, but when we couldn't pull away with the score, he was eager to come on. Julien's heart is that of a warrior, a warrior pursuing victory."
This failed rotation for Julien finally resulted in complete rest at the end of the month in the away match against Troyes.
Troyes currently ranked in the relegation zone; their strength was far inferior to Bastia's.
With Julien, De Bruyne, and Lukaku all rested, Bastia still won 2-0 away.
On the contrary, PSG, in the 26th round away match against Sochaux, shockingly lost 2-3!
Thus, the gap between PSG and Bastia had widened to an astonishing 13 points!
After the loss extended the point gap to an alarming 13 points, Ancelotti partly attributed the defeat to "the players being too tired. We played a full six matches in February, with an international break in between."
These words immediately caused a huge reaction on Corsica!
Bastia media precisely dug up the "old accounts" from less than half a month ago—
Ancelotti now complains that "six February matches + international break" caused fatigue and defeat?
Then:
Who refused a reasonable postponement request from an opponent equally crushed by the schedule during that same devil February?
Who, in the same month they refused the postponement, was thoroughly beaten at home by this "exhausted team"?
And who, after enjoying "schedule integrity," now shouts "too tired" when facing their own congested fixtures?
When PSG refused the postponement, they championed 'professional response, maintaining image.' Now facing dense scheduling themselves, they trot out the 'fatigue defeat theory'! This double standard has become the perfect irony of Paris's championship incompetence!
Bastia, under even more extreme multi-competition + travel exhaustion—Europa League + league + consecutive away matches—didn't make excuses and still defeated PSG!
Now PSG merely complains about 'six February matches + international break' as the reason for losing to a relegation-battling team?
This exposes perhaps not a scheduling problem, but a stark difference in team resilience and mentality!
The most direct manifestation of this mentality gap is that insurmountable—13 points!
The league table, silent, yet speaks volumes.
The 'bitter fruit' of refusing postponement has finally been repaid in PSG's own point deficit.
Facing these reports, fans of other French teams disgusted by PSG's oil money football all chimed in.
"Ancelotti complaining about six February matches? That's Hilarious!
Look at Bastia's February schedule: two Europa League knockout rounds + away to PSG! They also had six matches!
What did they say? They kicked you down with their feet!
That's football! Not relying on a checkbook!"
"When PSG refused the postponement, they surely thought Bastia was a 'minor nuisance.'
Now?
This 'minor nuisance' has become an obstacle you can't overcome in your title race!
Twelve rounds left with a 13-point gap!
Hahaha, It's sooo satisfying!"
"Support Bastia! This is what French football should look like!
Passion, unity, never giving up!
Not relying on poaching stars from other teams to pile up a 'super fleet' with no foundation!
They can buy stars with money, but they can't buy a team with real cohesion and fighting spirit.
Look at Bastia, look at their De Rocca, Kanté, Van Dijk—that's football!"
Many external media were already treating Bastia like last season's Montpellier.
They proclaimed "PSG's championship dreams will always be shattered by a dark horse team that's never won Ligue 1!"
However, facing these comments, while some within Bastia might be getting carried away, Hadzibegic, Chataigner, and other high-level figures remained realistic.
Who didn't want to win the championship?
But—
"The pressure of fighting on two fronts is the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. Every Europa League match is a tough battle; every league point is crucial. Our squad depth is limited—that's reality.
This means smaller rotation space, greater consumption for everyone, and the shadow of injury could strike at any time.
Every upcoming match will be the ultimate test of our physical limits and mental resilience.
One misstep, and our huge advantage could vanish in just a few rounds.
However, I'm telling you this not to create panic, but to ignite the clarity and fighting spirit in our bones!
Throughout our journey, when have we not been underestimated?
Which tough battle didn't we fight through under pressure? From Paris to London, from doubt to amazement, what did we rely on?
Our absolute hunger for victory, the rewards each person earned by giving their all!"
Before preparing for the first match in March—the Corsican derby—Chataigner told the players.
Hadzibegic also chimed in from the side. "Everyone must rest well. Your health is our guarantee of going all the way. There are three months left. Whether we can create history depends on these final three months."
Julien nodded repeatedly as he listened.
He was now very worried about the team's injury problems, mainly on the defensive line.
The pressure was truly immense.
Fortunately, the current Corsican derby was no longer a real threat to Bastia.
Ajaccio's poor performance this season left them on the relegation edge.
Playing at Stade Armand Cesari at home, Hadzibegic boldly initiated super rotation this time!
Only Julien, De Bruyne, and Lukaku played among the main players—these were the players rested in the previous match. The other players were basically rotation players.
Relying on Julien's two solo runs in the first half, the team successfully won this match 2-1 with low cost and some nerve-wracking moments.
After the match, Hadzibegic said in an interview, "I've failed before, so I know that sometimes failure comes just when you think victory is near. We won't think about distant matters now. We focus on each match."
"Now, we need to prepare for the match in Italy in three days."
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