5-0!!
Five-nil
Before the match began, probably no one would have imagined such a scoreline.
Hadzibegic was laughing with uncontainable joy—this was yet another five-goal lead they had achieved in the league.
The team's fighting power was growing stronger and stronger.
This was, of course, directly related to De Rocca's increasingly seamless integration with the team.
In this match, De Rocca on the right flank was simply playing at a different level, leaving Laval's players completely bewildered.
Hadzibegic couldn't help but think of those who had questioned De Rocca's pace—just how fast could Ligue 2 players really be?
Against De Rocca's exceptional dribbling ability, the defensive line was soft like cotton.
Moreover, Julien wasn't the type of player who only knew how to play counterattacking football like a dog chasing a frisbee.
"De Rocca!!"
At Stade Césari, De Rocca's name became the only sound echoing through the stadium.
It wasn't just Hadzibegic.
Châtaigner, Pierre, and the others were watching Julien's performance with such excitement they were nearly fainting.
Julien was surrounded by his teammates, accepting the cheers and adoration from the North Stand.
He was like the king of Corsica.
Châtaigner couldn't help but sigh, "If only the club had money."
Pierre looked at him.
Châtaigner shook his head bitterly, "If we had money, Julien wouldn't have to leave, we could sign more powerful players, we could challenge for the Ligue 1 title, we could return to European competition like we did years ago... Unfortunately, we can't. The club getting into Ligue 1 is already using every ounce of our strength."
Pierre didn't speak, only patted Châtaigner's shoulder in comfort.
Châtaigner quickly composed himself. He looked toward the pitch and smiled, "I don't want Julien to leave, but I also don't want him to stay here forever. He should be like an eagle, soaring through the sky."
"Thank you," Pierre said sincerely. "Without you choosing to give him a chance, perhaps none of this would have happened today."
"No, it was he who earned back his former talent through his own efforts."
Whistle!!
During their conversation, the first half ended.
The score was temporarily frozen at 5-0.
Laval's players were now dispirited, not knowing how to face this scoreline.
The small number of away fans were also dejected, unable to accept what had happened.
How had they been completely torn apart?
Bastia fans continued their singing, and even during halftime, many were still cheering.
At the Sunset Coffee Tavern, Bertrand and his staff had already carried the seventh drunk patron into the back room.
This match was so enjoyable to watch that people were downing drink after drink, consuming more before halftime than they usually did in an entire evening.
"Whew!"
After setting the man down, Bertrand breathed a sigh of relief while thinking to himself that fortunately he hadn't continued that promotion where De Rocca goals meant discounted drinks.
Otherwise, the tavern wouldn't have been able to accommodate so many people!
Walking back to the bar, Bertrand muttered to himself, "That De Rocca kid is truly incredible..."
In Bastia's locker room, Rothen was shouting—"Who scored the opener!"
"De Rocca!" the rest of the players responded loudly in unison.
"Who got the hat-trick!"
"De Rocca!"
"Who's going to be Man of the Match!"
"De Rocca!!"
Clap clap clap!
All his teammates were applauding Julien with bright smiles, making him feel quite embarrassed.
"Haha, our young genius is being shy!" Rothen jumped down from the locker room bench, put his arm around Julien's shoulder, and continued addressing the others, "Let's perform well in the second half and let Julien rest—he has to report to the national team the day after tomorrow!"
"He's the only active international player in Ligue 2!"
His teammates chimed in one after another: "Show the style of Bastia's number one player,"
"Make those who doubt you shut up,"
"Go to the Euros for us—we'll watch your broadcasts at home."
"Looks like Coach Rothen has already arranged the second half."
Hadzibegic, who had been standing outside the door for a while, walked in with his hands behind his back, joking with Rothen.
"Hehe, no no, I just thought with such a big lead, we could let Julien rest." Rothen scratched his head, laughing sheepishly.
Hadzibegic didn't continue talking with Rothen, but instead looked toward Julien.
Then, he brought out a football from behind his back.
"Julien, congratulations on your first professional hat-trick. I believe this is just the beginning of a legend." Hadzibegic handed the ball to Julien. "Take it—you can keep the match ball from your third goal as a memento."
"Thank you, coach."
Julien had been too excited and had completely forgotten about collecting the hat-trick ball, but Hadzibegic had remembered for him.
Julien took it.
The grass stains on the football were clearly visible, seeming to carry the scent of the green pitch.
This had originally been just an ordinary match ball.
But at that moment, when Julien sent it into the net, this ordinary football was no longer ordinary.
'The beginning of a legend?' Julien murmured to himself.
Second half.
Hadzibegic didn't substitute De Rocca at halftime, but instead took him off in the 50th minute.
Letting him receive the applause of the entire stadium.
Clap clap clap!
When Julien left the field, thunderous applause erupted throughout the stadium.
Bastia fans all stood up, seeing off their legendary player.
A seventeen-year-old Bastia legend.
In the Post-match conference.
Facing reporters, Hadzibegic said, "I think those who doubt Julien should understand what kind of player they're doubting—he just scored a hat-trick.
They didn't even wait for Julien's first match before starting to doubt a seventeen-year-old who became Ligue 2's top scorer in just seven games!
Just wait—those voices doubting Julien will eventually become part of the cheers for him, and that day might come this summer.
Yes, under Julien's leadership, we've earned 61 points. We're now 8 points ahead of second-place Reims. I think we'll win the championship. As for the Coupe de France, we'll do our best—when you can touch the championship trophy, why not?"
Hadzibegic's statements were becoming bolder as Julien continued to grow.
When Bastia fans saw these reports, they couldn't help but sigh that this conservative Bosnian old man had finally become bold.
This was Bastia!
Regarding this match against Laval, although some French media still felt that De Rocca had merely performed well against a weak Ligue 2 team and that his ability remained questionable in top-level competitions, at least among the fans, such voices had diminished.
Two days later, April 2nd.
Just as Julien and Pierre were leaving the training ground, preparing to head to the airport to return to Clairefontaine, a group of fans blocked their path.
"Julien! Give us twenty minutes—no, fifteen minutes!!"
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