Ligue 1's season opener was the earliest among the five major leagues.
August 12th, 7 PM, kickoff.
The first round of matches drew significant attention, with fans eager to see how each team had adjusted after the summer transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain attracted most of the fans' attention. After all, this was a top-tier club that had spent over 100 million on transfers. Many wanted to see how the Swedish tower would perform at PSG.
However, PSG laid an egg. Ancelotti's team failed to bring victory to the Parc des Princes faithful. They were down 2-0 to visiting Lorient by halftime and nearly suffered an embarrassing home defeat.
In the end, Ibrahimović stepped up. He scored in the 64th minute from a Nenê pass, then converted a penalty in the 89th minute to help Paris draw level.
Ibrahimović scored twice, but it was only a draw.
Meanwhile, in eastern France at Montbéliard's Bonal Stadium, Sochaux fans were celebrating their dramatic winner.
Bastia had led since Lukaku scored in the first half until the 80th minute.
Then Sochaux scored twice in ten minutes to complete the turnaround.
De Bruyne looked frustrated. There had been plenty of attacking opportunities in this match, but Lukaku had missed three clear chances.
If Lukaku weren't his teammate at Chelsea, Belgium, and Bastia, De Bruyne would have already started criticizing.
The key was that veteran defender Théni made a crucial error in the final moments, slipping and causing the winner!
Nothing went Bastia's way.
In the post-match press conference, Hadzibegic told reporters, "I don't know why so many people have high expectations for us. I think those people aren't actually Bastia fans."
"I'm very clear that we're a newly promoted team. Our primary task is to avoid relegation."
"Losing one match isn't the end of the world. I'm glad there are 38 league matches—we won't be relegated because of one game."
When reporters asked about Julien's injury and whether he would return for the home match in a week, Hadzibegic shook his head. "Maybe."
Hadzibegic wasn't being evasive with the reporters. He genuinely didn't know.
August 17th, five days after Bastia's loss to Sochaux.
At the Sunset Café Bar, fans still hadn't received definitive word about Julien's return. According to major French newspapers, Julien would need about two weeks to recover.
These newspapers got their information from Clairefontaine.
However, Bastia's local media, sourcing from the club, all reported that Julien would likely return for this match.
"What should we do? Still prepare?" someone asked Modoso.
Modoso answered decisively, "Prepare! Absolutely prepare! How long have we been planning this? Should we waste time over unconfirmed speculation? Besides, the first home match has commemorative significance."
Setting his wine glass on the table, Modoso said thoughtfully, "This isn't just Julien's first Ligue 1 match—it's also Bastia's first home Ligue 1 match in so many years."
"Right!" The others nodded in agreement.
After losing to Sochaux in the last match, Bastia fans were all feeling frustrated.
So, their focus was entirely on this home match.
They didn't want to lose!
As they spoke, Modoso noticed Bertrand serving drinks and smiled. "Bertrand, how's your treble anise liqueur?"
When it came to making alcohol, Bertrand was extremely proud. "Don't worry, this is made with the finest star anise from Vietnam. When Bastia wins the next championship, you'll all get to taste it!"
"Great, great!" Everyone laughed and chatted cheerfully.
However, each person couldn't help but worry: would there be another Bastia championship?
Ligue 1 was not Ligue 2.
August 18th, the pre-match press conference for Bastia's second-round Ligue 1 home match against Reims.
Hadzibegic once again stated, "Our primary goal remains avoiding relegation."
A reporter pointed out that he had said the same thing last season, yet Bastia won the championship, so would this season also aim for the Ligue 1 title?
At this comment, the reporters in attendance burst into laughter. No one believed a newly promoted team could win Ligue 1.
PSG had spent 100 million on transfers—that was no joke.
What did Bastia have? A few kids?
This summer, Bastia had spent all their money buying youngsters.
Hadzibegic shrugged, his mind drifting to yesterday's conversation with Julien.
Hadzibegic: "Definitely starting tomorrow?"
Julien: "I want to win."
Just this simple exchange lingered in Hadzibegic's mind.
Hearing the reporters' comments, he smiled and said, "Until the final match ends, who knows the result? But our goal is indeed to avoid relegation."
He looked calm and composed.
At the start of last season, did anyone think Bastia could win Ligue 2? A double? A treble?
August 19th, 6 PM.
At the Stade Armand Cesari, crowds flowed in like blue blood from all directions.
Julien's number 10 jersey for the new season had become the best-selling jersey.
With promotion, Chataigner had chosen Italian brand Kappa as the new season's team sponsor for higher sponsorship fees.
Now the vast majority of fans wore Kappa number 10 jerseys.
However, some fans still cherished memories of Julien's omnipotence last season, wearing Uhlsport number 29 jerseys.
Boom! Boom boom!!
When the players began their pre-match warm-up, about 80-90% of the Stade Cesari stands were already filled.
They couldn't wait to see the new season's first home match.
In the last match, Sochaux had only allocated 600 away tickets to Bastia, so fans could only watch the broadcast.
Now, the Stade Cesari had undergone stand expansion for the new season, increasing capacity from 16,000 to 21,000.
This was basically Bastia's limit, given the city's population of around 100,000.
Lukaku, De Bruyne, and others finally experienced the atmosphere of Bastia's home ground.
It was incredibly intense!
No weaker than Chelsea's.
The only difference between these two sets of fans was the stadium capacity.
At the Stade Cesari, even the general admission stands were a sea of blue.
Apart from the away section with fewer than 1,000 Reims fans, the rest of the stands were practically drowned in a blue ocean.
"Under Filiani's starry dome,
The Stade Cesari calls your name,
De Rocca, child of the mountains,
The treble already bears your flame."
The treble version of "Ce train qui s'en va"—"The Song of De Rocca"—suddenly rang out from the north stand.
Then it spread to the other stands.
This classic song by Hélène wasn't unfamiliar to Bastia fans, but now with Julien's name, it left an even deeper impression.
Julien loved this song. So, Bastia would sing it for him!
Whoosh!
As the song gradually ended, the crowd gasped in amazement. The north stand unfurled a banner:
"Julien, tu as le monde entier, Mais Bastia n'a que toi!"
[TL: "Julien, you have the whole world, But Bastia has only you!"]
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