As Julien rode the team bus through the streets of Haringey toward White Hart Lane, outside the windows were Tottenham fans everywhere.
They wore smiles of anticipation.
Tottenham was experiencing a renaissance.
This was the thought in Tottenham fans' minds.
As the only team in England to win the FA Cup as a non-league club, and the first to achieve the double, they had deep history.
In the late 19th century, Tottenham was an industrial area in North London, with the working-class forming Spurs' earliest fan base.
After World War II, immigrants flooded in, forming diverse communities. White Hart Lane became one of the few symbols that transcended class and race.
Even now, die-hard Tottenham fans held fast in Haringey, arguing endlessly with their bitter rivals from Islington.
"This place is a bit bigger than our Stade Armand Cesari," Rothen joked.
"This is London, after all," Choplin laughed.
The feuds between England and France could fill many books, but for ordinary citizens, these two countries were each other's most familiar.
Julien listened to his teammates talking, quietly observing the world outside the window.
This was his first time at White Hart Lane.
He'd previously been to Colney with the U21 national team. From the looks of it, compared to their bitter rivals, White Hart Lane's stadium wasn't quite as imposing.
It seemed Tottenham was already applying to Haringey Council about rebuilding the new White Hart Lane.
"Let's go, let's go. It's about to be a tough battle. Let's show these soft English lads the Bastia spirit!"
As the bus drove into the stadium, Cahuzac shouted.
For these Ligue 2 veterans, everything now was beyond what they'd previously imagined.
After all, when they'd imagined things in dreams, it was basically dominating in the Champions League, not the Europa League.
So, the Europa League was instead in a gap between dreams and reality.
Now, they'd squeezed in.
Julien stood up to get off, occasionally glancing at Kanté staring blankly at the dense crowds.
Julien walked over and patted his shoulder. "It's just a match."
Kanté snapped back to attention and smiled at Julien.
In this half season at Bastia, Kanté often felt like he was in a dream. They were first in Ligue 1. They'd reached the Europa League knockout stage.
They'd beaten Atlético twice. They'd defeated Paris Saint-Germain.
All of this impacted Kanté's football world.
Bastia was just a small island, only visible when studying geography class.
Julien responded to his smile with his own, then followed the others off the bus.
Kanté quickly stood up and walked out too.
"Julien!"
"Beat them! We are Bastia!"
"FORZA BASTIA!"
Bastia's traveling fans, beyond the security personnel, shouted powerfully toward the players.
Every time Kanté heard this, an indescribable feeling rose in his chest, an impulse, an impulse to win.
He wanted to dedicate all his ability for these fans.
Kanté caught up with his teammates.
"N'Golo! Come on!!"
He seemed to hear a fan calling his name. Kanté turned his head and, in a blur, saw someone waving their arms at him. Kanté broke into a smile.
Turning back, Kanté exhaled. He wanted to bring victory to these fans.
He repeated Julien's words in his mind: 'Right, it's just a match.'
BOOM! BOOM BOOM!!
When both teams entered the pitch to warm up, White Hart Lane stadium erupted with cheers.
Broadcasts from around the world were in position, beginning pre-match introductions.
Independent Television (ITV), as England's second-largest television operator, sharing UEFA competition rights with the BBC, was broadcasting the entire match.
ITV had been promoting this Tottenham versus Bastia match long in advance.
Because the buzz was genuinely high!
ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley said, "I believe many people still don't know much about Bastia. Trust me, this is absolutely not a team to be taken lightly. They've created astonishing results this season. You have to know that last season they were still a Ligue 2 team, and the season before that they were in the third tier—three seasons, three different leagues!
They were promoted from the third tier as runners-up, then promoted from Ligue 2 as champions to Ligue 1. Now they're leading Ligue 1!
They're seven full points ahead of second-place PSG. With ten-plus rounds left, I believe that's definitely a massive advantage."
Tyldesley kept introducing Bastia's achievements this season. Especially when all this was connected to a newly-promoted team, it was particularly eye-catching.
Many English viewers watching the broadcast genuinely felt amazed.
Tyldesley continued, "And the person who created all this is tonight's most anticipated Bastia player: Julien De Rocca!
This is absolutely the most astonishing young player in French football, or rather European football right now. At just 18, his valuation has reached the world's top ten. He possesses elite ball-carrying ability.
This season, his direct goal contributions are second only to Barcelona's Messi, even surpassing another Ballon d'Or winner, Christiano Ronaldo. Bastia's current results are directly related to his performances.
Tonight, De Rocca will also face off directly with Bale, who has also performed at a top level this season."
As time slowly passed, White Hart Lane rang with the song "Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur":
"Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur,
Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur,
Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur,
And the Spurs go marching on!
The pride of North London, we're the kings of White Hart Lane,
The famous Tottenham Hotspur, forever we'll remain,
And when the Spurs go marching in, we'll sing this song again,
And the Spurs go marching on!
Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur,
Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur,
Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur,
And the Spurs go marching on!
We've won the Cup of Europe and the League,
We've been to Wembley and we've made them see,
That Tottenham Hotspur are the greatest team,
The world has ever seen!"
The singing echoed.
Both teams emerged from the dressing rooms. Along the way, Bastia players kept adjusting their breathing.
Most of them were playing in European knockout competition for the first time.
They were somewhat nervous.
Fortunately, as kickoff approached, this nervous emotion was gradually suppressed.
"Go!"
The referee signaled for both teams to follow him out of the tunnel.
As captain, Julien was the first Bastia player to walk into White Hart Lane.
The "Glory Glory Tottenham" song kept deafening over them.
As the players entered, it reached its peak!
Julien had actually heard "Glory Glory Man United" more often.
After all, United's record in recent years had been better. They were one of the clubs with the most fans worldwide, so many people had never even heard "Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur" and would think Spurs were copying United.
In reality, the Spurs song appeared earlier, first emerging in the 1960s when Tottenham was at its peak: the double winners without equal.
United's version didn't appear until 1983.
At White Hart Lane stadium, flags waved.
It was all a sea of white.
"Gareth! Gareth!!" Tottenham fans passionately chanted Bale's name.
During the entrance turn, Julien and Bale's eyes briefly met.
At this moment, Bale was full of vigor.
Seeing Julien, his lips curved slightly up.
Julien was more indifferent.
Their gazes touched and dispersed.
As the opening ceremony proceeded, Tottenham fans' momentum grew more imposing, and restless.
Julien won the kickoff for Bastia.
Center circle.
The referee stared at his watch. When the time came—
WHISTLE!!
A long blast and the match officially began.
Lukaku passed back. De Bruyne controlled the tempo, not passing forward but continuing to pass back.
Tottenham, from kickoff, pressed toward Bastia's formation.
After kickoff, Tyldesley introduced both teams' starting lineups.
"Tottenham here with their usual main lineup—4-2-3-1.
Lone striker Adebayor; Behind him Lennon, Dempsey, Bale; Double pivot: Dembélé, Scott Parker;
On the back line, two fullbacks: Kyle Walker, Assou-Ekotto;
Two center-backs:Gallas and Vertonghen;
Goalkeeper Friedel."
"For Bastia, their formation isn't their usual one. Currently it appears to be a 5-3-2 setup with three center-backs.
Up front, Julien and Lukaku push forward, playing on the counter, these are Bastia's sharpest arrows.
Behind them, a midfield of Kanté, Rothen, and De Bruyne.
On the back line, two fullbacks, both newcomers: Clauss, Sidibé.
Three center-backs: Van Dijk, Angoula, Cahuzac.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Worth mentioning—Bastia's starting XI is actually half a 'Premier League set.' Lukaku and De Bruyne are both on loan from Chelsea. Martinez is on loan from Tottenham's bitter rivals Arsenal.
De Rocca was also previously a Chelsea player.
OHHH MYY GOODDDDD!
GYAAARETH!"
Just as Tyldesley was introducing both formations, suddenly the entire stadium erupted in gasps.
As soon as Tottenham gained possession, Bale put on a show of using pure speed.
Dempsey passed the ball wide from midfield. As Bale was about to receive, he slowed slightly, making defender Clauss think he could intercept and move toward the ball.
Then Bale suddenly accelerated, knocking the ball past Clauss into the space behind him. Clauss's momentum was forward, he couldn't turn in time. Bale beat him with pace.
However, when everyone thought Bale could accelerate and cut inside, a blue figure appeared.
Julien!
Julien sprinted toward Bale. Without much defensive action, he just ran alongside Bale, blocking his inside lane.
GASP!
Tottenham fans were startled again. This Julien's speed also seemed pretty fast!
They could see clearly, Julien had burst out from behind Clauss to catch up with Bale.
"Brilliant, Julien!"
At the same time, the French TF1 commentator excitedly shouted, "So you're the speed merchant? So, what about Bale, Julien's speed isn't slow either!"
On the pitch, seeing he couldn't shake off Julien, Bale passed to Assou-Ekotto who came up to receive.
Assou-Ekotto's hairstyle was definitely the most eye-catching on the pitch, it was a massive afro.
After receiving, he quickly pushed forward, but Clauss was already in position.
THUMP!
Assou-Ekotto played a diagonal pass forward. Bale accelerated to shake off Julien, hoping to break through this side's defense with this combination.
However, Julien could still keep up with him. Although he didn't prevent Bale from carrying the ball, he consistently appeared in front of Bale.
Bale made several feints, trying to shift Julien's balance. But Julien didn't react at all. He just sensed Bale's weight shifts.
Before the match, Hadzibegic had sought him out: "You must help with flank defense. I know this tests your stamina. I also know your defensive experience is average, but I can tell you how to defend Bale.
You don't need to steal the ball from him. You don't need to stop him receiving: you just need to follow him and stay in front of him.
That's enough."
So, Julien had no intention of intercepting Bale. He just wanted to be a sticky plaster.
Seeing he couldn't shake Julien off, Bale decided to force his way through.
He pushed the ball forward. Then a blue-black figure flashed out.
It was Kanté!
With a sliding tackle, he knocked the ball out for a throw-in.
Bale was somewhat frustrated seeing this attempt disrupted like that.
But he felt Bastia couldn't stop him. Once wouldn't work, then twice, three times. There would be opportunities.
When the throw was taken, Tottenham switched to attacking down the right, letting Lennon try, it was another speed whizz. Especially combined with Kyle Walker, they'd torn through many Premier League defenses.
However, they encountered trouble here too.
Sidibé was black, strong, and not slow. With teammates covering, he had no worries.
The flanks' speed was supposed to be Tottenham's strength, but this time, Bastia matched them on both sides.
Tottenham's attack was forced into positional play, slowly pulling space.
The tempo slowed. This made Villas-Boas on the sideline unhappy, frowning at the situation on the pitch.
After watching Bastia's performance these few minutes firsthand, his expression was slightly grave. Bastia did have something.
This patchwork Bastia lineup completely exceeded his expectations.
However, problems did appear!
In the half-space, Rothen was a step slow. Kanté was drawn away by Dempsey. Walker pushed forward; Lennon cut inside.
In an instant, Lennon appeared in a vacuum in Rothen's defensive zone.
BANG!
A teammate immediately passed to him. Lennon didn't hesitate, he unleashed a shot!
The ball flew between defenders. After all, Bastia rarely played three center-backs, so there was actually more space than with two center-backs, mainly because the players weren't accustomed to it.
But as the ball flew toward goal, Martinez flew to reach it.
He palmed it out for a corner.
ROAR!
A huge cheer, this was Tottenham's first shot, but also extremely close to a goal.
Tyldesley joked, "Looks like Arsenal blood still flows in Martinez, refusing to let Tottenham score. Wonder if Adebayor will have a chance from this corner. In his three-plus seasons with Arsenal, he scored 62 goals."
Tottenham's corner kick.
Both teams' players jostled in the box.
Dempsey delivered the ball. Before Adebayor could jump, Van Dijk pinned him down. Van Dijk headed the ball out of the box.
Adebayor fell. Van Dijk turned and gave him a disdainful look.
Adebayor kept raising his hand signaling a foul. But after the referee indicated no foul, he immediately turned and ran toward the center circle.
Bastia's attack was coming!
Van Dijk's clearance was picked up by Julien on the outside. Without any hesitation, he took the ball and charged!
This was Bastia's chance!
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