The moment Podolski saw Julien receive the ball, he had already positioned himself defensively.
Today, defending France's right flank was something Löw had emphasized repeatedly before the match, so Podolski had been watching Julien's position closely.
Podolski quickly closed in, wanting to use his physical strength to stop Julien.
In Germany's pre-match preparation, one of Julien's weaknesses was his relatively weak body in physical confrontations.
However, Podolski forgot that while Julien's physical battles were weaker, that only applied when opponents could get close to him.
When he had the ball and sufficient space, how could Podolski have the chance to engage him physically?
Whoosh!
The stadium suddenly erupted with a gasp.
Podolski rushed forward, but Julien performed a croqueta, cleanly beating him on the flank.
Julien then advanced along the touchline. As Höwedes blocked his path forward and Gündogan had already retreated to his side...
Bang!
Julien sent a short pass, delivering the ball to Sagna's feet as the fullback came up to overlap.
After releasing the ball, Julien quickly cut inside toward the penalty area, taking Gündogan with him. Höwedes's first instinct was also to follow Julien.
But seeing Sagna rapidly advance down the wing, almost unmarked, he turned to cover instead.
Unfortunately, he was a moment too late.
Sagna found space to cross and didn't hesitate, sending the ball in!
Unlike Benzema in previous national team matches, Giroud didn't hide on the pitch.
Seeing the ball coming his way, Giroud competed fiercely with Hummels, both jumping for the header.
Both players connected with the ball.
This caused the ball's trajectory to change, what was heading toward the far post now angled toward the near post.
Adler, having already committed his weight in one direction, forcibly twisted his body and flung himself at the ball, managing to deflect it.
However, because this save was so extreme, Adler had no time to adjust and couldn't push the ball to a safe area.
As he landed, Adler quickly prepared for a second save.
But as the ball dropped near the right side of the six-yard box, Julien suddenly exploded with speed, emerging from behind Gündogan.
Gündogan was startled, he'd just turned his head to check and Julien was still behind him, but in another instant, Julien had burst in front of him.
Gündogan quickly followed, desperately trying to restrict Julien.
But alas,
One step slow, always slow.
Julien met the ball at high speed. Because of his momentum and the ball's trajectory, Julien used an unconventional shooting technique, striking it directly with his frontal bone.
Actually, his lack of adjustment saved time.
Even though Adler had prepared for a second save, he still couldn't reach it.
Swish!
The ball hit the net. Less than five minutes in, Julien scored on the rebound!
ROAR!
The entire Stade de France erupted into thunderous noise. The tens of thousands of French fans in the stands felt their blood surge to their heads the moment the ball crossed the line.
That trembling sensation throughout their bodies made them involuntarily roar with the crowd—only this way could they release the passion burning in their chests.
"Julien!"
"JULIEN!!"
Julien ran toward the sound, sprinting to the edge of the stands where fans frantically waved flags and jerseys. He tilted his head back slightly and spread his arms wide.
This was his home!!
Teammates rushed toward him from behind; the blue wave of fans surged toward him from the front.
They converged together, creating the greatest symphony in the Stade de France at that moment—Julien's Symphony.
Some fans began singing the chant they'd created for him—
"Julien, Julien! Let the wind carry your name!"
"Shoot! Let the net burn in your heat!"
Giroud was the first to reach him. After Julien's celebration, he lifted him up, shouting, "Your movement was lethal!"
Julien continued pumping his fist toward the stands while being carried by Giroud.
Deschamps was also pumping his fist vigorously on the sideline.
Next to him, Löw kept scratching and digging, feeding his nervous habit, his expression was serious.
Conceding a goal just four minutes in, even in a friendly match, made Löw very unhappy.
He quickly gestured to his players, telling them to stick to the tactical plan and keep playing.
It had only been a few minutes, they couldn't yet see the tactical effects, so no adjustments were needed yet.
Whistle!
As both teams' players returned to the center circle, the referee blew his whistle to signal play would continue.
Germany kicked off.
Özil came up to receive the ball. Germany's organization and build-up mostly relied on him in midfield.
However, tonight he encountered a very annoying opponent. This short Black French player stuck to him like chewing gum that wouldn't come off no matter how hard you pulled.
Özil passed the ball and shoved Kanté in the process.
Kanté lost his balance and fell to the ground. He tried to get up immediately, but Matuidi, who was nearby, quickly ran over and got in Özil's face. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Özil dismissively waved his hand and pushed Matuidi away.
Seeing this from the other side, Julien immediately rushed over and shoved Özil.
This shove brought Germany's players over, and both sides instantly confronted each other.
The stadium fans immediately erupted in boos, constantly jeering at the German players.
This friendly match was on the verge of becoming a "friendship-ending" match.
The referee quickly made his decision to maintain control, giving both Özil and Julien yellow cards.
After some argument, the players settled down relatively quickly.
Julien walked over to Kanté and said, "Be harder on him. He's got a yellow card now. Provoke him more, even get him sent off if you can. Don't be so nice."
Kanté shrugged awkwardly. "Julien, I don't—"
"Then learn how." Julien cut off Kanté's words. Seeing the match about to restart, he quickly ran back to his right-wing position to continue playing.
France kicked off.
As the defensive pressure on Julien's side increased, Ribéry's side became relatively easier.
Ribéry on the left wing had some good moments combining with teammates, but unfortunately none threatened Adler's goal.
But when the main defensive focus was on Julien while Ribéry thrived, Löw fell into contemplation again.
Germany's style differed from France's. Germany relied mainly on ground combination play, central penetration, and a false-nine formation with constant position switching to pull France's defensive line.
France, on the other hand, was relatively simple and direct, relying on two explosive wingers to attack hard!
This made things difficult for Germany.
When Julien's area had no space for a lengthy period, Germany unconsciously relaxed their marking on him and shifted toward the other side.
However, Just as Gündogan moved away from that area, Cabaye immediately sent a long cross-field pass to Julien's side.
This wide switch caused Germany's formation to quickly tilt right.
Julien received the ball, facing both Podolski and Höwedes. As they tried to trap him, Julien feinted a dribble but actually passed, sending an outswinging cross with his right foot.
Giroud headed it powerfully!
Unfortunately, the header was too central. Adler, positioned in the middle, instinctively deflected it before diving to secure the ball.
France's attack was neutralized.
Phew!
French fans shook their heads somewhat helplessly. That had been a good opportunity, Julien's cross was perfectly placed.
The broadcast commentator also felt some regret seeing the miss. "If that had gone in, it would have been a brilliant assist from De Rocca. Remember, the right foot is his weaker foot, yet now he can deliver crosses like that with it. This shows his training efforts are paying off, he still has room to improve."
Giroud raised his hand apologetically to Julien, who waved it off. Given their relationship, scoring or not didn't matter.
Gündogan, watching that cross from Julien, felt conflicted about whether his defensive position should permanently stay on the right side.
He couldn't help but lament, this was the headache of facing an opponent with a world-class winger. Their pulling power was too strong.
Marking him or not, both choices had problems.
Germany quickly restarted play, and Özil still showed his individual ability. Despite Kanté's tight marking, he eased a through ball.
Müller on the right wing burst into the box and unleashed a shot!
But due to the tight angle, Lloris completely sealed it off, blocking the ball out for a corner.
Germany's corner kick came in.
Without star striker Klose, France defended relatively comfortably.
Instead, this clearance became France's opportunity!
Löw's brow furrowed.
Matuidi, facing Özil's pressure in the center, changed direction and left Özil behind. As Özil tried to follow and challenge Matuidi—
Bang!
Matuidi had already spotted the opportunity, Julien!
This pass had plenty of lead time.
Matuidi knew Julien's speed well. He understood that a heavier pass suited Julien's sprint better.
Sure enough, while Gündogan had initially run shoulder-to-shoulder with Julien toward the ball, once Julien accelerated, Gündogan couldn't keep up.
Instead, Lahm from the other side desperately tracked back, seemingly having a chance to reach the ball.
Julien and Lahm arrived in sequence.
Julien didn't slow down. While running, he slightly lifted his left foot and nudged the ball forward with a second burst of acceleration!
Lahm was left behind.
Whoosh
The French fans in the stadium saw this from Julien, their minds were filled with stars, many of them cheered wildly.
Deschamps looked excited, while Löw's heart raced with tension. The more nervous he got, the faster he scratched.
Julien used his speed to create a one-on-one chance.
Behind him, Lahm didn't give up, still chasing hard, but no matter how he ran, he remained a body length behind Julien.
Adler had come off his line.
This was Germany's last hope, and French fans all knew what Julien loved to do when one-on-one with the keeper.
They eagerly anticipated that moment.
The next instant,
The scene they anticipated didn't appear. They only saw Julien chip the ball, sending it over the rushing Adler.
Flying toward the goal.
As the ball rolled toward the goal line, a figure appeared on the line.
Lahm!
Even after Julien's shot, he hadn't given up. He threw himself completely at it, even though the ball had already crossed the line.
Even though he crashed into the net along with the ball.
2-0.
Just 21 minutes in, France led by two goals at home. Julien turned and spread his arms in a gliding motion, running a distance before sliding on his knees off the pitch.
"JULIEN!!!"
The entire stadium chanted Julien's name. Fans continuously experienced the joy of having Julien.
At this moment, a thought kept surfacing in people's minds: "If we'd had Julien last summer, could we have reached the Euro final?"
Unfortunately, This was now a question without an answer.
But at least in this moment, in this friendly match without any championship or trophy, they saw the difference between France with Julien and France without him.
While all cameras and all eyes focused on Julien….
Lahm silently got up, picked up the ball, and walked toward the center circle.
Along the way, he continuously clapped for his teammates. "Mark your men! Don't lose heart, we still have a chance! Take it slow!"
His face showed no trace of disappointment from being behind.
Only determination.
The others seemed infected by him, rekindling their fighting spirit.
At this moment, the commentator, like other fans, didn't notice this scene. They only focused on the most dazzling person on the pitch.
"This goal fully displayed De Rocca's individual ability. His ball control at high speed was perfect, and facing the keeper's challenge, he produced such a high-quality chip. It must be said, De Rocca not only has world-class ability but also a big heart made for the biggest moments."
The stadium DJ repeatedly led the fans' enthusiasm.
"The goal scorer is—"
"JULIEN!"
"The score is now—"
"TWO-NIL!!"
The stadium erupted.
Julien's brace made them feel the joy of revenge.
They were likely going to beat Germany!
In the stands, Many French officials and legends also applauded Julien along with the fans.
Le Graët spoke again to Nasser, "Such a brilliant French player should stay in France, keeping the world's attention focused on France!"
Nasser nodded repeatedly. In his mind, he was already imagining what a terrifying squad they would have if Julien came to PSG.
With such a squad, Ligue 1 would be a breeze. Their target would be the Champions League!
They must become European champions!
Making PSG a European elite club, that was his goal.
And all of this could very likely become reality because of this young man.
Nasser also pondered what contract terms to offer Julien, and he didn't want a short deal, he wanted a long contract to keep him.
On another side, Mbappé kept telling his family, "See? Julien is the brightest star in all of France. I will work hard at Monaco to catch up to him!"
As he spoke these words, Mbappé's eyes also sparkled with endless brilliance.
Julien was an idol to French fans.
He was also his idol.
He longed for the day he could fight alongside Julien.
This was his dream!
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