Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca Chapter 151: Chapter-151 Bastia

July 28, 2012

2:00 PM

Red Bull Arena, New Jersey, USA

The stadium, capable of holding over 20,000 people, had only attracted around 15,000 spectators. After all, New Jersey temperatures had been steady between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius during this period.

At this afternoon ti slot, with the blazing sun, it was quite hot.

So even though it was Saturday, ticket sales weren't particularly good.

Besides the weather issue, the main reason was that Arican fans were unfamiliar with both teams in the French Super Cup final.

These weren't traditional French powerhouse clubs.

For Arican fans, 'soccer's' influence in Arica was far below the traditional four major sports leagues—NFL (Arican football), MLB (baseball), NBA (basketball), and NHL (hockey).

Add unfamiliar teams to the mix, and there was even less desire to watch. Even regular MLS gas didn't have high attendance.

They even had to deliberately avoid direct competition with popular events like NFL and MLB, choosing to play during non-traditional soccer season, March to December, to attract more viewers.

At this ti, saying "soccer still needs work in Arica" was perfectly accurate.

Of course, MLS wasn't sitting idle. They continuously increased infrastructure and youth training investnt, expanded the dostic talent pool, and actively bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

Additionally, in terms of events, they emulated the classic North Arican sports model, with playoffs using ho-and-away elimination format and a single-ga championship final, enhancing the drama and comrcial value of matches.

Like the NBA, they also tracked "exhibition ga" statistics and created soccer idols for young people.

Plus, they tried to bring in soccer superstars to increase attention, like the LA Galaxy signing English superstar Beckham in 2007.

This year, MLS newcor Montreal Impact had signed 37-year-old legendary defender Nesta.

The New York Red Bulls signed French star Henry in 2010.

So, at his ho venue, Henry didn't miss this match, and arrived early at the VIP box to watch the French Super Cup final.

More than anyone else, Henry was most interested in watching Julien.

Henry sat in the VIP box alongside Tim Cahill, who had just joined from English side Everton as the European sumr window opened.

Cahill, an Australian international who had long played in England, wasn't very familiar with French teams.

He asked Henry, "Who do you think will win?"

Henry shrugged and replied. "Montpellier? Or Bastia? Both have a chance to win. Any team that can win Ligue 1 and the French Cup has real quality."

He didn't answer the question directly. He wasn't sure of the answer either.

Henry's attention was entirely focused on Julien. He hadn't watched the June European Championship.

MLS season timing differed from Europe's cross-year schedule. MLS basically started each March, then until October when the regular season ended.

Then playoffs ran until December to determine the final champion.

During the European Championship period, there were still matches.

Henry only watched broadcasts.

Regarding France's internal conflicts, it made him sigh in frustration. Perhaps without the infighting, France could have really reached the final this ti!

Henry had a deep impression of Julien. A player who could fight until injured for victory—this was the iron-blooded spirit the French team lacked!

So, Henry didn't know who would win the championship, but he hoped Julien would win.

On the field, both teams' players were busy warming up, preparing for the match that would kick off promptly at 3 o'clock.

Julien and his teammates were doing shooting warm-up exercises.

At this mont, the venue had French tricolor flags and Arican stars and stripes displayed in the stands.

But most eye-catching were still the Bastia fans. Julien finally saw those familiar flags again.

Bastia's blue banners. And the "Moor's Head" symbol representing Bastia.

Flowing up and down in the stands like diterranean waves that had surged to Arica's East Coast.

The players soon finished warming up and headed to the locker room to prepare for the upcoming official match.

At this ti, the big screen displayed Montpellier's highlight reel from last season—Giroud's various winning goals, players roaring, fans cheering.

Combined with the on-site DJ's voice: "Montpellier won their first-ever Ligue 1 championship trophy! They created..."

The DJ delivered a long introduction. The audience's emotions gradually built with ti.

The small number of Montpellier fans who had made it to Arica sang their support song:

"Hé Montpellier!"

Hé Montpellier!

La la la la Paillade!

Ce soir on est venu chanter,

Et on lâchera jamais!

(Translation:

Hey Montpellier!

La la la la Paillade!

Tonight we ca to sing,

And we'll never let go!)

As Montpellier's highlights ended, Bastia's reel began.

Actually, rather than call it Bastia's highlights, it was more like Julien's personal reel!

The big screen showed various scenes of Julien nutgging defenders and weaving through crowds of players, stunning Arican fans who had never seen such artistry.

"Wow!"

"OOOOOhh"

They were genuinely amazed.

"Amazing,"

"Unbelievable,"

"Oh my god"

Various exclamations rang out from the stands.

Soccer could be played like this?

This instantly made them feel that coming to watch such a match in the blazing afternoon sun wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Then, a deep male voice penetrated the entire venue:

"Ladies and gentlen!

Raise your voices, and welco with your most passionate roars… the legendary team from Napoleon's holand—the century-old powerhouse born in 1905 on the island of Corsica, Bastia!

Sporting Club de Bastia!

Founded in 1905, forged in the blue of the diterranean, Bastia has written golden pages in football history!

In 1978, they shook all of Europe—

with an iron defense and fearless spirit, they struck down Sporting CP, silenced Newcastle United, toppled Torino, and marched all the way to the UEFA Cup Final!

And in 1981, on a rainy night in Paris, Bastia shattered the dynasty dreams of Saint-Étienne—with the unforgettable strike of the indomitable Roger 'Uncle' Milla!

Last season, in the historic 2011/2012 campaign, this diterranean powerhouse in blue completed an epic transformation—

Double champions!

The Ligue 2 championship trophy still sparkles with fresh champagne, the winning roar from the French Cup final still echoes at the Stade de France!

But Bastia is never satisfied!

Right now, they're just one step away from a treble—the French Super Cup!

Look at those amazing goals on the big screen.

I want you to rember one na—the soul of this team, the €30 million super winger, last season's number 29, this season wearing the number 10 shirt—Julien De Rocca!

He returns with the glory of European Championship semi-finalist, Euro top scorer, and European Championship Best XI.

His specialty is using ghostly breakthroughs to tear apart opponent defenses and deadly goals to ignite every fan's cheers.

From diterranean storms to New Jersey heat, from Ligue 2 grassroots to double champions—Ladies and gentlen, are you ready to witness a miracle?

Friends of Bastia who have traveled far, let us shout together—

VIVA BASTIA!"

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