Bastia's sea churned throughout the night, its waters singing and weeping simultaneously.
The victory over Atlético seemed to open a new chapter in the club's long history, a watershed moment that would be remembered and recounted for generations.
Yet the next day, following a single night's rest, the club's entire focus shifted intensely.
After nine league matches, Bastia remained two points behind Marseille. Meanwhile, PSG pursued aggressively from below, closing the gap with every passing week. Their competition showed no mercy, no sign of faltering.
If Bastia had ambitions of creating a French "Kaiserslautern Miracle" that fabled story of an underdog team capturing the Bundesliga title, they would need to maintain relentless pressure on the standings. They could afford almost no errors. They must remain perfect themselves while waiting for inevitable mistakes from their rivals.
Consequently, the afternoon following their return from Madrid, the squad did not receive rest or celebration time. Instead, they engaged in recovery training sessions, carefully calibrated to restore depleted physical resources without introducing new injury risks.
Hadzibegic had issued strict instructions to his medical and coaching staff: the main objective was ensuring players could return to optimal condition before the next league match.
Their next opponent: Bordeaux, a former powerhouse of Ligue 1, would visit their stadium.
For those familiar with French football history, Bordeaux required little introduction. Founded in 1881, the club had become an indispensable component of French football. Throughout their long existence, Bordeaux had captured six Ligue 1 championships, achievements that placed them among the elite clubs of French football.
Beyond league titles, Bordeaux could claim three Ligue Cup victories, three French Cup triumphs, and three French Super Cup championships. Their trophy cabinet overflowed with evidence of consistent excellence.
But perhaps most significantly, Bordeaux had produced one of world football's greatest legends: Zinedine Zidane.
The very name Zidane transcended football, occupying a place in world culture that extended far beyond the sport.
As a player, Zidane had spent his younger years at Bordeaux's training academy, developing his talent before transferring to Juventus where he would become a global icon. Beyond Zidane, players like Lizarazu and Gourcuff had emerged from Bordeaux's youth system, establishing themselves as international superstars.
Bordeaux was genuine French football royalty.
In the 2008-09 season, Bordeaux had captured the Ligue 1 championship, ending Lyon's seven-year monopoly on the trophy. Subsequently, in the 2009-10 Champions League group stage, Bordeaux had navigated a challenging bracket containing Bayern Munich and Juventus, ultimately claiming first place in their group.
Of course, beyond football, Bordeaux maintained a reputation primarily associated with wine. The world's most prestigious vineyard regions: Lafite, Latour, Haut-Brion, Margaux were all located within Bordeaux's geographic region.
Indeed, Bordeaux's early team kits had been wine-red in color, a tribute to their city's primary cultural contribution.
Hadzibegic addressed his squad with humor during a training session: "Should you manage to defeat Bordeaux, I will present you all with a bottle of genuine Bordeaux wine upon match conclusion. However, the condition is that we must wait until season's end before opening it. We celebrate then, not before."
This comment generated enthusiastic laughter from the players. The team's internal atmosphere remained remarkably cohesive, with every player eagerly anticipating the season's eventual conclusion.
Currently, three separate competitions remained viable for them: the league, the Europa League, and the French Cup. Though in reality, the French Cup would likely be abandoned as everyone acknowledged Bastia's current squad profile was insufficient to maintain multiple fronts simultaneously.
"It is remarkable, truly," The medical staff observed and said, "how youth provides such advantages. Your recovery capacity is extraordinary. You played nearly the entire match yesterday, rested a single night, and your muscular system shows almost no damage. You appear completely healthy."
Fabruetto, despite his passion for League of Legends gaming, generally remained professional regarding his medical responsibilities. His primary position had suffered no compromise.
Currently, Julien and he continued their steady progress learning English. The squad already contained several English speakers, and having French as one's native language actually accelerated English learning.
Julien had taken the initiative to ensure others participated in language study as well, including Mané and Kanté.
His reasoning was straightforward: "You cannot expect to remain in Ligue 1 forever. Multiple languages provide multiple options for your futures."
Julien showed no particular concerns regarding his physical condition.
De Bruyne, however, had a different completely situation.
Medical examination revealed substantial muscular strain. During the Atlético match, he had operated with complete disregard for physical preservation, burning himself totally, driven by emotional intensity and determination to secure victory.
As a naturally bulky midfielder, his muscle loading had reached dangerous levels.
Additionally, defenders Choplin and Angoula, both starters in the previous match, could not continue as regular participants. Both showed excessive muscular fatigue. Continuous starting appearances risked serious injury, potential muscle tears or ruptures.
Hadzibegic delivered his verdict. "You three will occupy substitute roles temporarily. Do not do additional training these coming days. Rest thoroughly. Ensure your condition stabilizes. We will make final playing decisions on match day itself, following additional evaluation."
De Bruyne and his companions acknowledged the directive with head nods, yet disappointment flickered through their eyes. They still wanted to compete, to contribute, and participate.
Julien addressed them reassuringly. "Rest well. This season will bring numerous difficult matches like tonight. Do not allow a single league fixture to compromise your availability for subsequent competitions. Besides, you must trust your teammates to deliver in your absence."
The others nodded.
Julien himself had undergone a remarkable transformation throughout this season. Initially, certain teammates had been concerned that the club's desire to retain him might disrupt team dynamics or create uncomfortable situations. Now, in less than half a season, he had genuinely captured everyone's affection and admiration.
The following two days consisted entirely of recovery training. Hadzibegic dared not push harder, fearful of creating new injuries.
During this period, Julien received numerous telephone calls and messages. Some offered congratulations on his triumphant performance at Atlético's home stadium. Others were from Pierre, his father and agent, updating him regarding which additional clubs were attempting contact.
Additionally, both Blanc and Zidane sent messages, requesting that Julien reserve tickets for them. Both wanted to attend the upcoming home match as spectators.
Julien naturally agreed.
In reality, given their stature and prominence, both Blanc and Zidane could have simply requested tickets directly from club officials, it was a trivial matter. Yet they chose to approach Julien personally instead.
The reason both men desired to attend specifically related to their personal connections with Bordeaux. Zidane's association was obvious: he had played for Bordeaux beginning in 1992, remaining for four years before transferring to Juventus, ultimately becoming the club's most legendary player ever.
Blanc's connection was simpler but equally significant. He had coached Bordeaux. From 2007 to 2010, he had managed the club, winning the Ligue 1 championship, the League Cup, and the French Super Cup. Bordeaux represented his "land of rise" the place where he had established the credentials that subsequently enabled his appointment as French national team manager.
Time passed.
October 28th arrived.
Bastia held their pre-match press conference. Hadzibegic spoke honestly: "The team is deeply fatigued. We invested everything in Spain. Multiple primary players cannot participate. Many have claimed Bastia might become Ligue 1 champions this season.
I wish I could agree, but reality is different. We cannot guarantee such outcomes. Our true objective is maintaining Ligue 1 status. Providing fans with continued high-quality matches that is our genuine mission. Championships are consequences of victory, not prerequisites."
A reporter immediately asked whether Julien would participate.
Hadzibegic did not directly answer. "He will appear in the squad roster. The team physician will provide specific recommendations tomorrow."
Currently, Julien had a reputation externally as physically fragile.
Another reporter continued: "Tomorrow, Transfermarkt will publish updated Ligue 1 player valuations. Do you expect De Rocca's valuation will increase? In previous updates, his valuation remained constant."
Hadzibegic shook his head. "I cannot speak to such matters. Direct that question toward Transfermarkt's managers. For me personally, Julien's numerical valuation possesses no practical significance. His actual value to Bastia on the pitch exceeds one hundred million euros!"
Subsequent questions addressed specific tactical and match details, which Hadzibegic addressed with professionalism. After years through European football, he handled these interactions almost instinctively.
What surprised him somewhat was the dramatically increased attention this season, a consequence because of Bastia's unprecedented performances.
Across the stadium, Bordeaux manager Gérard Gili offered lavish praise for Bastia.
"They are magnificent. As a promoted team, no one could perform better. They occupy second position, separated from first place by perhaps this single match or possibly the next one."
When discussion turned to Julien specifically, Gili became even more lavish: "Observing De Rocca makes me wish Deschamps would temporarily grant me national team management. I want to experience coaching him. That would be something extraordinary."
Actually, few people initially understood why Gili praised Julien so enthusiastically. That clarification emerged only after media outlets reported: "Gili and Julien both come from Oissel."
Suddenly, everyone understood his generous compliments.
When Gili encountered the article, he smiled bitterly. He had no hidden agenda, he genuinely felt Bastia and Julien were formidable. Though born in Oissel, he had entered Valenciennes's academy as a very young child, as Paris offered him no opportunities.
Decades had passed.
Oissel had almost no memories for him anymore—it was just his starting point, nothing more.
The next morning at 9 AM, freshly arrived office workers immediately opened Transfermarkt, searching for Bastia or Julien De Rocca.
When they observed the string of zeros, followed by counting carefully—eight total digits with a six positioned at the front, they gasped.
"Sixty million euros!!"
Lukaku's exclamation erupted across the training facility.
Every Bastia teammate rushed toward Julien, watching as he opened the webpage. Lukaku's expression showed maximum shock, though everyone else appeared similarly stunned.
Everyone had anticipated perhaps forty or fifty million euros.
After all, Julien had no major official honors yet.
Yet Transfermarkt valued him at sixty million euros!
Julien expressed some surprise, though nothing beyond that. Valuations were ethereal anyway.
Currently, only two financial peaks dominated football's valuation landscape: unreachable summits that overlooked above everything else.
Messi: 120 million euros.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 100 million euros.
Both possessed a staggering gap separating them from everyone below.
Simultaneously, fans discussing this valuation update engaged in debate about Julien's figure.
Sixty million euros astonished many observers.
Social media erupted with discussion and analysis.
"Sixty million? Heavens! He ties with Rooney for fourth position! He turns eighteen next month!"
"How does he surpass Fabregas? Fabregas should certainly be seventy million, not fifty-five!"
"Transfermarkt typically incorporates potential assessments. Many players possess talent but have largely realized their potential. Julien remains young and enormous upside still exists. His on-pitch performance speaks anyway: that Atlético hat trick demonstrated elite clutch-moment capability.
Sixty million is completely justified."
"Question his valuation? Wait until he ages twenty—he will definitely exceed one hundred million! At his current development trajectory, when he joins a top club next summer, his value will immediately skyrocket."
"The real question is which club Julien selects after this season concludes. I genuinely cannot believe he will stay at Bastia. His quality demands better circumstances—necessary for collecting honors and accelerating maturation. This valuation barely needs discussion anyway; it has the same reasoning behind his previous thirty million valuation: immense potential."
"You are all correct, but I still cannot accept a Ligue 1 player having sixty million euros."
Opinions thrived widely, though none impacted Bastia itself.
Julien calmly prepared for evening's match. As always, valuations meant nothing.
Goals, victories, trophies—these alone represented reality!
He only desired victory!
Even zero valuation seemed acceptable if it meant achieving victory.
His previous hat trick victory had generated forty-five victory points. Enormous gains!
Currently he had accumulated ninety-six victory points. Julien calculated that defeating Bordeaux tonight would provide sufficient accumulated points that next time, instead of upgrading attribute caps, he could finally open treasure chests again.
He hadn't opened boxes in ages. Perhaps this gamble was timely.
The afternoon dissolved rapidly into evening.
The match would commence at 8 PM, yet by 6 PM, thousands of Bastia supporters had already assembled outside Caesari Stadium.
They sang new version of Julien's song:
"We just knocked down the giants, yeah, we showed them how,
Bastia's standing TALL right now!
But there's one name we need to sing,
One man who made the whole stadium ring—
JULIEN! JULIEN DE ROCCA!
De Rocca! De Rocca! (clap, clap, clap!)
Your silhouette cuts like a HURRICANE!
De Rocca! De Rocca! (clap, clap, clap!)
Your shots IGNITE the net again and again!
Deep blue warrior, FORZA FRANCE!
When you run, the earth TREMBLES down!
De Rocca is our LEGEND—wear that Bastia crown!"
They also sang countless support songs, igniting the stadium atmosphere two hours before kickoff.
The handful of Bordeaux supporters present felt deeply uneasy. They questioned whether their team could extract points from this formidable opponent.
This promoted team was simply too powerful.
As both teams' buses entered, Bastia's supporters erupted again with renewed intensity. They had missed home matches desperately, and showed enthusiasm that bordered on overwhelming.
Modoso led the crowd forward from the front, waving the Moorish flag like an advance scout, marching boldly toward the stadium entrance. Behind him flowed an ever-increasing tide of Ultras Bastia members, who had arrived more than an hour earlier in preparation for tonight's spectacle.
They had specific intentions beyond merely supporting the current match.
Tonight represented celebration—a commemoration of Bastia's triumphant return from Madrid, their conquest of the reigning European champions.
This home stadium provided the perfect stage for such jubilation.
________________________________________________________
Check out my patreon where you can read more chapters:
patreon.com/LorianFiction
Thanks for your support!