June 24th.
5 PM.
The area around Kyiv's Olympic Stadium was already packed with people.
After Spain's 2-1 victory over England last night, only one spot remained among the four semi-final teams.
Would it be Italy or France?
Both teams could be considered European powerhouses, but Italy's morale was soaring while France had barely emerged from the whirlpool of internal strife.
Both coaches naturally expressed confidence in their teams.
But the fans knew better.
Many French supporters were already displaying their fine tradition of surrender, acknowledging defeat, after all, the French flag did contain white.
French fans were sighing everywhere.
With Nasri and Ben Arfa completely absent from the squad, some French journalists reported that Blanc would continue using new players.
Among the entire French squad, who was the "newest" player?
Naturally, it was Julien.
Reports from L'Équipe and other newspapers had successfully shifted the fans' discussion from Nasri's reckless behavior to whether France needed such radical changes.
It had to be said, this was journalism's magic moment.
With a turn of the pen, the whole narrative changed.
French fans were successfully led astray, and they weren't particularly optimistic about this match either: this was a divided France team without a core, and they would repeat the disaster of 2010.
So, when French fans gathered waiting to enter the stadium, their expressions were clearly less confident than the Italian fans nearby.
Some Italian supporters were even discussing, "Germany won't be easy to play against. Hopefully Buffon can stop Klose."
They were already thinking about the semi-final match against Germany.
In this European Championship, Germany and Spain were the two teams with the highest championship odds, with Italy close behind.
After the internal strife incident, France's championship odds were as high as Czech Republic's.
And Czech Republic had already been eliminated.
So, it seemed perfectly natural for Italy to act superior in front of France.
Tap!
Suddenly, the waiting fans heard the sound of boots stepping on the ground.
They all turned to look.
Two groups of people dressed in military uniforms were "escorting" a crowd wearing specially designed jerseys, half France national team jersey, half Bastia jersey.
The Bastia jersey on the right chest, the France team jersey on the left chest.
Two team crests positioned on the chest.
On the back of the jersey, the number was formed by France's "1" combined with Bastia's "9".
Above the number was the same name: "De Rocca."
Whoosh!
The crowd let out surprised exclamations. There were hundreds of people wearing such jerseys, a dense mass.
Their leader carried a large flag.
On the flag was a famous French painting: Napoleon Crossing the Alps.
When Italian fans saw this painting, most had little reaction.
They simply knew it was a famous portrait of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David, the founder of Neoclassicism.
Just this year, a replica of this painting had been exhibited at Sforza Castle in Milan. According to the curator's interviews, only 12% of visitors could accurately explain the painting's connection to the Italian campaign.
The artwork was even included in Italian high school art history textbooks, but usually taught as an example of Neoclassicism rather than historical events.
So, some people still didn't understand what this was about.
An Italian fan exclaimed in the crowd, "Oh, there's a relief version of this painting at the Great St. Bernard Pass in the Alps! I've been there!"
Tap!
As Modoso waved the flag, the Bastia fans behind him let out deep, synchronized roars. "Roar! Roar roar!!"
Tap!
On both sides of them were fully armed cosplayers, stone-faced, dressed as Napoleonic-era military uniforms.
Two armies of soldiers!
Escorting the Bastia fans to the stadium!
The few hundred meters instantly attracted everyone's attention, with many quickly pulling out phones to take pictures.
However, some Italians knew what this painting meant to Italy, from 1796 to 1797, Napoleon led French forces in a triumphant campaign, conquering the entire Italian peninsula.
This war not only marked Napoleon's rise but also established France's hegemony in Europe.
Today, what did these French want to do?!
Did they think the French team could still win like in Napoleon's time, defeating Italy and then aiming to conquer Europe?!
Many Italians seemed irritated and wanted to say something.
But seeing this massive crowd of Bastia fans, especially with their continuous low roars emanating that stay-away fighting spirit, they dared not speak up.
At this moment, the stadium officially opened for entry.
Italian fans quickly queued to enter the stadium, still muttering, "Once we eliminate you, you'll quiet down."
Modoso was like a general under Napoleon's command. He proudly waved the flag, earning applause from numerous French fans.
The cosplayers escorting them stopped at the stadium entrance, these were extras Modoso had hired.
The Bastia fans began entering the stadium. The flag naturally couldn't be brought inside. It was left behind, protected by these "Napoleonic soldiers" and displayed at the entrance.
Only then did sharp-eyed people notice something odd, why were there numbers on Napoleon's uniform?
Two numbers: 19, 29.
These were Julien's jersey numbers.
After passing security, when Modoso reached the top of the steps, he suddenly turned and shouted loudly: "Cunquista di l'Europa!!" (Conquest of Europe!)
"Cunquista di l'Europa!!"
The Bastia fans also roared wildly.
The sound startled everyone present.
Journalists quickly captured this scene, it was very novel sideline news.
At 6:45 PM. Players from both France and Italy stood in the tunnel, waiting to enter. Julien stood among them. He attracted the attention of many Italian players.
Especially the Juventus players.
For example, Bonucci, Barzagli, Pirlo as Juventus core players, they had actually known last season about the club's interest in signing Julien.
Marotta hadn't hidden this matter. However, before the summer transfer window officially opened, Julien had announced his intention to stay with his club.
This surprised them somewhat. What kind of young player could refuse an olive branch from a Serie A powerhouse?
Tonight, they were eager to see what this young man, highly regarded by many Italian scouts, was truly made of.
It so happened that Italy's defensive line was the "Juve setup."
Consider it a test!
"Go!"
When the time was right, the referee gestured for the players to enter.
ROAR!
The moment Julien entered the stadium, he was hit by a wave of sound mixing countless cheers, boos, and other noise.
Like countless arms. "Doubt" was pushing him backward, "Expectation" was pulling him forward.
________________________________________________________
Check out my patreon where you can read more chapters:
patreon.com/LorianFiction
Thanks for your support!