A French Cup Match
If it were just a Ligue 2 team defeating a Ligue 1 team, perhaps not many people would care.
But when this Ligue 2 team equalized, scored the winner, and created all three goals through the same player and he was only seventeen years old, the news and media exploded.
Beyond the local Bastia newspapers, which widely covered this French Cup match where Bastia managed to reverse their fortune against Valenciennes, France's mainstream newspapers also reported on the game.
Especially about De Rocca.
"Creating Three Goals in a Comeback Victory in the French Cup! That Genius is Back!"
"From Chelsea to Bastia, What Has He Experienced These Three Years?"
Stories about Julien's exploits appeared in the media once again after years of absence.
This was the kind of genius-rising-from-the-ashes story that fans loved to see.
For a time, discussions flourished everywhere.
Particularly after the post-match press conference, when Valenciennes head coach Montanier said, "We were always in control of the situation until Julien came on. Everything changed then. We didn't lose to Bastia—we only lost to Julien."
Although some Valenciennes fans felt Montanier was somewhat shirking responsibility, to a certain extent, this was also the truth.
Before De Rocca entered the game, they had led by two goals.
This brought even more attention to Julien, with many fans calling for their clubs to find a way to sign this player.
Julien himself, however, paid no attention to these praises.
He knew that praise from media and fans was rootless, coming quickly and leaving just as fast. Only strength was ultimate.
After all, he had been praised like this years ago. But when he couldn't deliver performances, he faded into obscurity, disappearing from fans' view.
That night, after meeting and chatting with his family, he returned to Bastia with the team.
Châtaigner found De Rocca privately and said with exaggerated body language, "Your performance tonight was incomparable! You controlled the match! You turned a certain loss into victory in such a manner! You are the team's hero!"
After embracing Julien, Châtaigner got to the point. "You'll become the target of many teams' fierce competition. Tell me, will you leave Bastia?"
Actually, Châtaigner already knew the answer to this question.
Bastia was ultimately just a small club—he couldn't retain a young man whose heart soared as high as the sky.
De Rocca didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "If the team needs it, I'm willing to help the club get promoted."
This was a short-term commitment. Regardless of what happened later, at least he would stay at Bastia for this season.
This was also what he considered the most ideal choice.
Although he had now returned to his former peak self, if he wanted to establish himself in the top league, he needed to at least raise all his attributes to their limits.
In the match against Valenciennes, Julien was well aware that he had benefited from their unfamiliarity with him.
As more matches were played, other teams would definitely study his style.
It wouldn't be so easy then.
So rather than going to Ligue 1 and warming the bench, it was better to stay at Bastia and quietly level up.
Châtaigner smiled. "Good! The club will also give you proper treatment. Your previous contract was only for one year with wages that were too low. The club is willing to offer you a new contract with comprehensive improvements—a three-year deal. What do you think?"
"Of course, I'll contact Pierre to come and discuss the contract details together."
De Rocca had no reason to refuse.
His current contract would expire in the summer. Without renewal, Bastia wouldn't get a penny when he left.
He was willing to leave Bastia a transfer fee out of gratitude for Châtaigner's kindness.
This was his promise to the club.
Naturally, the club would be more willing to give him more playing time to increase Julien's market value.
This was a win-win situation.
As for the extremely unlikely scenario of being unable to leave after signing, this could be avoided by adding a release clause and supplementary terms.
The French Cup victory didn't have much impact on De Rocca's mentality.
But it had a significant impact on his integration into the team!
During training before preparing for the next round of Ligue 2, Julien received goodwill from his teammates.
Especially from Vincent.
This player from Bastia's own youth academy had grown close to De Rocca.
Vincent even joked with David during training breaks. "Now your starting right-wing position is in jeopardy."
De Rocca remained silent.
David was magnanimous. "As long as the team can win, isn't it good for me to rest more? Don't make it hard for an old player like me. The team ultimately belongs to you young players."
Everyone actually had high expectations for De Rocca.
At this crucial moment when the team was surging toward promotion, adding such a fresh force was exactly what they needed.
When Hajdibegic was preparing for the next match against Clermont, he didn't hesitate to put Julien on the substitute list.
He actually had thoughts of starting De Rocca, but felt it was better to let him adapt gradually.
Just as Hajdibegic was preparing for the next match, Châtaigner received an offer from a Ligue 1 team for De Rocca.
The winter transfer window was in full swing.
Bastia's French Cup performance inevitably drew attention from some clubs to Julien.
Previously, it had mostly been Ligue 2 teams.
But unexpectedly, now a Ligue 1 team had come calling.
And it was Paris Saint-Germain!
This Parisian club, established only in the 1970s, had brief moments of glory but had fallen into complete decline after entering the new century.
However, the situation changed last year.
Last summer, the Qatari consortium acquired Paris Saint-Germain, then splashed ninety million euros to bring in a host of ready-made players.
They were ambitious.
They wanted to usher in a golden age in Paris, emulating what Abramovich had done at Chelsea.
They bought both immediate impact players and established stars, as well as potential talents.
So, after PSG's big moves in the summer window, they continued their massive recruitment drive in the winter window. De Rocca inevitably caught their eye.
Moreover, PSG's offer far exceeded those of other teams.
Other teams offered at most one million euros, but PSG came in with five million euros!
Wealthy! Too wealthy!
Châtaigner almost couldn't resist agreeing. This kind of offer was irresistible for Bastia.
But Châtaigner firmly refused!
After sending the email, he slumped in his chair, somewhat dazed. He had just refused five million euros!
Bastia's economic situation usually relied on free transfer strategies, and when they did buy players, it was at most a few hundred thousand euros to get by.
This was five million euros!
Suddenly, Châtaigner's psychological pressure skyrocketed.
If De Rocca didn't perform in the remaining half season, he would be losing five million euros outright!