This scoreline meant Paris Saint-Germain had fallen behind Bastia by one point again.
In the post-match interview, a reporter asked Ancelotti how he viewed being behind Bastia in the standings, comparing PSG's massive investment to Bastia's.
Ancelotti raised his eyebrows (o_O) and said, "First, I'd say this is precisely what makes football so charming, isn't it? Enormous investment doesn't directly translate into a lead in the standings.
It provides possibilities, lays the foundation for building a strong team, but ultimately, what decides the outcome of matches is always the 90 minutes on the pitch, the team's cohesion, and individual moments of brilliance from players."
The reporter continued with questions about Julien, noting that in 15 appearances across 17 league rounds, Julien had scored 23 goals and provided 11 assists, an incredible record. What was his assessment?
Ancelotti shook his head. "Assessment? I think all of European football is currently discussing the name Julien De Rocca. I must say, for an 18-year-old player, he's writing an extraordinarily remarkable, almost fairy-tale story. He's exceptionally talented, with maturity beyond his years. His technique, speed, goal-scoring instinct, and decision-making with the ball far exceed what you'd expect at his age.
At 18 years old, wearing the captain's armband, becoming the undisputed core and spiritual leader of a promoted team—this alone speaks to his special qualities. Fifteen matches, 23 goals, 11 assists, such statistics would be phenomenal for any player, let alone an 18-year-old!
He's proven himself to be Ligue 1's most decisive player at the moment, without question. His goals come in various ways; his assists show remarkable vision. He's almost single-handedly reshaping people's understanding of what an 18-year-old player can do. His performance absolutely deserves all the praise."
However, Ancelotti did mention Bastia: "Of course, Bastia's overall tactics are very clear and effective, with strong team discipline, but Julien is the finishing touch that converts tactics into goals and opportunities into victories. He's the engine and core of their miraculous achievement."
When discussing the next two rounds of matches, Ancelotti said, "Our goal is naturally to win every game."
Seeing PSG's interview, Julien hadn't expected such high praise from Ancelotti.
Honestly, for a long time, his strongest impression of Ancelotti was from his time managing Bayern.
When Alonso retired, at his retirement press conference, Alonso talked about his Liverpool career: "I really miss my time in England, it was my first time leaving home, and I was only 22. Liverpool is a very special club with a long history. I realized that from my first day joining the team. I'm honored to have been part of the Istanbul night and won the Champions League."
Sitting beside him, Ancelotti couldn't help but interject: "You know that trophy was mine."
After that moment came Ancelotti's many achievements.
As time slowly approached year's end, Bastia's holiday atmosphere was gradually brewing.
For the fans, there were two more matches whose results would determine whether they'd have a happy Christmas.
At Bastia Training Ground
Faruk Hadzibegic had stopped giving the team too many training tasks. Most of the time, the team doctors and physiotherapists led the players through muscle recovery sessions.
Hadzibegic was terrified of injuries.
However, on December 18th, during the away match against Montpellier, the scene Hadzibegic dreaded still occurred.
De Bruyne twisted his ankle.
In the 62nd minute of the second half, during a midfield challenge, De Bruyne's standing foot lost grip and slipped, causing an ankle sprain.
Julien immediately went over to check on De Bruyne. The team doctor shook his head slightly.
De Bruyne's face was full of disappointment, tears were even welling in his eyes. He knew he was injured and would definitely miss the next match.
Getting injured when his teammates needed him most, it pained him immensely.
Julien hugged him and comforted. "It's okay, I'm still here. Rest and recover, we'll wait for you to come back."
De Bruyne forced a smile.
Other teammates also came over to comfort De Bruyne, telling him they had his back.
De Bruyne finally left the field with the team doctor's support.
After De Bruyne's departure, Bastia's attack relied entirely on the two wings: Julien and Mané as explosive points to pressure Montpellier.
Bastia had already established a 2-0 advantage in the first half, with De Bruyne contributing one goal and one assist, and Julien scoring once. So even with De Bruyne injured, Bastia still held the lead away from home.
However, misfortunes never come alone.
In the 75th minute, Choplin suddenly collapsed, clutching the back of his thigh.
Non-contact injury!
At that moment, Hadzibegic's expression immediately became grave. After half a season of development, Choplin had been improving steadily at center-back.
The team doctor rushed onto the field and, after a simple examination, immediately signaled to Hadzibegic for a substitution; Choplin couldn't continue.
Hadzibegic had to bring on Clauss, moving Angoula back to center-back.
This changed the defensive line to Clauss, Angoula, Cahuzac, and Sidibé.
Hadzibegic shook his head. The players were exhausted.
Julien watched as Choplin was helped off the field by the team doctor, his expression was equally grave.
An injury crisis seemed to be descending upon Bastia.
This match was truly brutal.
Moreover, with both De Bruyne and Choplin off, Julien had to stay on the pitch. Hadzibegic kept signaling to him: slow down the pace, don't force attacks.
Hadzibegic just wanted Julien to pose a threat on the field; he didn't want him continuing to drive into Montpellier's defense.
Fortunately, when the final whistle blew, the score remained 0-2, with no additional injuries.
The TF1 commentator said, "For Bastia, this is a pyrrhic victory! Perhaps their only good news is that their next opponent, Nancy, isn't a strong team—that's it."
Even knowing their team had won, Bastia fans didn't celebrate much. They worried about De Bruyne and Choplin.
After the match, Hadzibegic said, "The injured players need further examination by the medical team to know their exact condition. I don't know how they are right now either. I hope it's nothing serious."
Regarding still being at the top of the table and potentially winning the club's first-ever top-league half-season championship by winning the next match:
He simply said, "Half-season championship? What kind of championship is that? Is there a trophy? Will this honor be written into club history? If not, then it's just an ordinary match. I won't pay attention to such honors. What I need is for my players to finish the entire season healthy."
That evening, Bastia announced the two players' conditions late at night. Fans didn't look at the specific injuries but went straight to the recovery time.
De Bruyne would be out for at least two weeks. Choplin would be out for four to six weeks.
Hiss!
Seeing this news, Bastia fans felt like the sky was falling.
Both De Bruyne and Choplin were absolute starters, one the midfield core, one the defensive pillar.
Now one would miss at least half a month, the other at least a month.
What about the upcoming matches?
PSG's pursuit was too fierce. Bastia had gotten this pyrrhic victory while PSG had easily dispatched their opponent.
The pressure on Bastia was immense!
Julien and his teammates went to visit De Bruyne and Choplin. Since both were examined at Montpellier's hospital, the rest of the team didn't return to Bastia but stayed another night, planning to return together the next day.
When Julien saw De Bruyne, the latter was in poor spirits. Obviously, missing at least half a month made him uncomfortable.
Julien patted De Bruyne's shoulder as always, his tone was slightly relaxed: "Don't worry, recover well. This time last year, I also led the team alone. Don't worry, I have experience carrying the team single-handedly."
Then Julien looked at Choplin in the next bed. "You too. You know, I'm very good at this…."
"Hahaha"
Julien's words lightened everyone's heavy mood, and they all laughed.
Hadzibegic and Chataigner, who had just entered, heard Julien's words and shook their heads with helpless smiles.
Yes, last season they had relied on Julien alone to drag the team forward.
They'd ultimately won the club's historic season double and annual triple crown.
And now?
It was still this absurdly young man shouldering Bastia, forging ahead.
At that moment, everyone present seemed to understand what "captain" truly meant.
While others chatted, Chataigner called Julien aside to talk in a stairwell corner.
"For the next match, I still think you should only play half the game. After Christmas, after a good rest during the winter break, you'll have more playing time."
Chataigner got straight to the point. He knew Julien had asked Hadzibegic to play the full match next time. He was here to dissuade Julien.
Now De Bruyne was injured, Choplin was injured but Julien couldn't get injured!
Julien shook his head. This time he was very firm. "No, I need to play the full match. I want to win this game! When the team faces difficulties, someone needs to step up and give the fans hope! And give ourselves hope too!"
Saying this, Julien looked up at Chataigner, who was a head taller, his eyes were shining brightly.
"But..."
Seeing Julien's eyes, Chataigner's voice reluctantly lowered.
He could feel Julien's burning desire to win.
He agreed with Julien's words too. But this didn't actually serve the team's interests. The team needed a healthy Julien. From a rational standpoint, he didn't want to gamble on Julien not getting injured for one match.
"Pascal, there's no 'but.'" This time Julien didn't use an honorific, directly calling Chataigner's name. Chataigner didn't mind and continued listening to what Julien would say next.
"You know the team needs someone to step up, and I'm the captain—I have to shoulder the captain's responsibility! Do you want to see a cowardly team captain? Have you forgotten Bastia's iron-blooded style?! Come on, let's fight for this match together!"
Julien extended his hand toward Chataigner.
Looking at the light in Julien's eyes, Chataigner felt a moment of disorientation.
He seemed to have grown twenty years younger, now receiving a call from Bastia's captain: "Come on, Chataigner, you're Bastia's most reliable defender!"
Chataigner extended his hand. The cheers of Bastia fans echoed in his ears:
"Chataigner! Bastia's defensive iron gate!!"
"FORZAAA BASTIAAA!!"
Julien, wearing the number 10 jersey, stood on the pitch, smiling and extending his hand toward him.
When their hands clasped together...
All the rising cheers disappeared. The green field, the goal net, the spotlights, everything vanished.
The two men stood in the hospital stairwell corner.
It was late when all the Bastia players finally returned to their Montpellier hotel.
Julien couldn't sleep.
Too many words swirled in his mind, too much he wanted to express.
After thinking for a while...
After washing up, instead of sleeping, Julien took out paper and pen and sat at the desk.
He began writing the first line—
"Julien's Personal Letter"
Then an opening: "I want to tell you about my story"
Julien immersed himself in his own world, but he didn't complete the entire piece.
He left half blank—he would finish this article after the next match ended.
He looked at the article. This was his first personal letter to the fans, to the outside world.
He'd decided to continue refusing interviews and instead express himself through such personal letters published in newspapers.
"The fans should accept this, right?"
Julien wondered.
When he looked out the window again, the sky was showing its first light.
Dawn had broken.
At Bastia
Newspapers on street corners all reported last night's pyrrhic victory. Fans who'd managed to catch the broadcast last night felt the same sense of doom learning this news.
That same day, Hadzibegic gave an interview: "This is our most difficult moment. Every player is giving their absolute all—yes, their all. I believe the fans saw the players' tireless running and those goals..."
As he reached the end, he couldn't help adding: "After the Golden Boy Award ceremony, after the match against Nancy, before Christmas—I believe you'll receive a surprise from Julien. He has a lot he wants to say to the fans."
Hadzibegic's final words filled fans with anticipation.
Because in their impression, Julien never accepted interviews.
He was a reclusive player.
The match between Bastia and Nancy would take place on the 23rd.
And on the 21st, the Golden Boy Award was officially presented!
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