Germany
Brackel Training Center, outskirts of Dortmund
Jürgen Klopp was watching the Ligue 1 broadcast of Bastia's ho match against Saint-Étienne.
Julien was the player he strongly advocated for Dortmund to sign.
Currently, Dortmund's right wing—whether Kuba or Schieber lacked Julien's individual ability.
In Klopp's vision, if they had Julien in the front line, whether it was Lewandowski, Reus, or even Gündoğan making late runs, they would have many more opportunities.
Julien was a player who could enliven the entire pitch! This type of player didn't need to constantly show breakthrough ability—just by being on the field, opponents had to assign extra defenders.
For their own team, this naturally created one or two extra n!
Klopp really liked Julien. However, in this match, he made a new discovery—Aubayang.
For a player like Julien, given the current situation, Dortmund would have to spend considerably to acquire him.
But Aubayang, in Klopp's mind, could probably be secured for around ten million euros.
Of course, there were many players that caught Klopp's attention. He liked players with strong running ability. Kanté and Sidibé from Bastia were also within Klopp's scope of interest.
When reviewing Bastia's squad list, he glanced at Bastia's biggest sumr expenditure—Sadio Mané, bought from tz.
Apart from pace, he didn't seem to have any other qualities.
Probably a dud signing.
Klopp felt sorry for Bastia, though buying players and ending up with duds was perfectly normal.
Watching the broadcast end on TV, Klopp made a phone call.
"Hey, Michael, I think I need to reiterate—I need a player: Julien De Rocca."
Michael Zorc.
Dortmund legend, the longest-serving and most influential sporting director.
Zorc smiled wryly, "Jürgen, any player you want, I'll naturally do everything to help you get. But Julien is different—there's significant resistance, mainly financial. We currently don't know the specific contract situation between Julien and Bastia.
But based on contacts from Juventus, Chelsea, and other clubs, we estimate that signing Julien would cost no less than fifty million euros total. Jürgen, for a single transfer, that expenditure is sowhat excessive for us."
Klopp said nothing more. After hanging up, he pondered the upcoming ho match against Leverkusen after the international break.
The unexpected draw away at Nuremberg last round had put Klopp in a bad mood. Their goal this season remained the Bundesliga title.
Dropping points against weaker teams hurt!
As for Julien, Klopp understood this wasn't sothing a small club could afford.
"Sigh."
Bastia Locker Room
The players were sowhat dispirited. Being down by two goals at ho in the first half obviously didn't sit well with them.
Their current problem was that they couldn't break through on the attacking end.
On the defensive end, they couldn't hold firm!
"I'm sorry, it's my fault, I..." Novaes stepped forward to apologize to his teammates.
In recent matches, although Bastia had been winning, his confidence had been dropping. He was gradually trending toward becoming a "shot-stopper."
Rothen patted his shoulder consolingly.
Julien then stepped forward, saying, "On the football pitch, is there any rule that says we score while they don't? Being behind isn't the end of the world—there's still the second half."
"Give the ball in the second half. I'll break through their defense, and you guys make runs. When there's a chance, I'll play you in."
For so reason, when Julien said to give him the ball, the Bastia players suddenly felt reassured.
"We need to make changes in the second half..." Hadzibegic's voice ca from the doorway at just the right mont.
At that mont, in the Furiani Stadium stands, Bastia fans chatted in small groups.
Modoso passed through the general admission section and heard so people dissatisfied with the first-half performance, even harshly criticizing the players' display.
They felt Bastia's performance didn't deserve to win.
Modoso initially tried to endure it.
But as so fans' words beca increasingly harsh, he said loudly, "What do you think Ligue 1 is? Last season we were still playing in Ligue 2, and the season before that we were in the National Championship. We've already taken six points from three rounds, what more could you want? It's just losing one match, and this match isn't even over, we're just behind!"
The others fell silent.
Modoso shook his head, "Bah! Julien has really spoiled you all. If you like teams that always win, win, win, then Bastia will never be to your liking!"
Modoso didn't continue. He felt it was pointless to say more to these people.
Every team always has such fans—only following victory, only pursuing spectacle. But there are also many die-hard supporters.
Who stay with the team through low points, never abandoning them, and celebrate wildly when the team reaches its peak.
Returning to the North Stand and greeting his friends, Modoso ca to his seat, where "Modoso" was engraved.
This was a privilege for Bastia's die-hard fans.
As long as you bought season tickets for ten consecutive years, sitting in the sa position, you could request the club to engrave your surna on the seat.
Moreover, this seat could be passed down to your children.
Modoso was the third-generation occupant of this position. His grandfather and father had watched Bastia's ups and downs from this very spot.
Ligue 2, Ligue 1, National Championship...
"Julien!"
Soone in the stands shouted Julien's na, and Modoso imdiately looked over.
The players had co out for the second half.
Julien, wearing the captain's armband, was the first to step onto the pitch.
Modoso quickly stood up. He shouted to the others, "Co on, Julien's song!"
The other fans prepared themselves.
Led by Modoso, the song spread from the North Stand:
"...Your goals are fists smashed against opponents, the Deep Blue Army is your army..."
Saint-Étienne's coach, Galtier, saw Julien co on.
He knew Saint-Étienne's biggest away challenge had arrived!
Fortunately, during halfti, he had already told his players in the locker room that Bastia would likely bring on De Rocca.
They had prepared in advance.
"With Bastia trailing by two goals, De Rocca cos on. In the first half, Bastia created many attacking opportunities but few clear-cut chances. De Rocca..."
The TF1 comntator's voice reached every fan watching the broadcast.
At kickoff, the cara held a close-up of Julien for a full ten seconds.
Saint-Étienne fans who couldn't make it to the away match felt their hearts tighten.
They had witnessed Julien's performances for the French national team.
Tweet!!
The second-half whistle sounded!
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