Reaching The Final!
And perhaps becoming French Cup Champions!
This is what the Bastia fans have been waiting for—not just a championship trophy, but Bastia's dream of returning to European competition after many years.
They know Lyon will be tough to beat. They know the championship will be hard to win.
So, their expectations are small, very small. Small enough that most of the fans just want to go to the Stade de France and take a look. To see Bastia's colors bloom against the French sky.
The excitement on the Bastia players' faces after winning was replaced by serious expressions. They understand the weight of their fans' expectations.
They also want to win the semifinal!
Advance to the final!
"Nous serons champions!"
Someone in the crowd shouted "We will be champions!" igniting the atmosphere completely!
And igniting it in a literal sense too.
The fans lit flares.
The stadium lighting crew, being very accommodating, turned off the main stadium lights.
Blue flares lit up the entire night sky!
The blue Cesari Stadium, blue Bastia—everyone's face was illuminated by the flare light.
Rothen put his arm around Julien's shoulder. "I never thought that after a year without football, nearing retirement, I'd still get to go on a championship journey with you. Thank you, Julien."
He didn't wait for Julien's response, looking up at those brilliant flares.
In his eyes, there were some bright, glistening reflections.
Julien didn't respond, just stood with him, with his teammates.
Listening to the Bastia fans' chorus.
Watching the gorgeous, dazzling flares dissipate in everyone's eyes and settle deep in their hearts.
League: Eight points ahead.
French Cup: Advanced to the semifinals.
With results like these, no one could find fault with Hadzibegic.
At the post-match press conference.
Hadzibegic was absolutely beaming. "A wonderful night. This is what all Bastia people have been waiting for. I believe all the players are ready to face next Wednesday's challenge.
Julien becoming the golden boot winner is only natural. I believe everyone can see his talent. Look at his goal today—he dribbled past three defenders! And it was with his weaker foot. Who else could do better than him?"
However, when he talked about little Giresse's red card, Hadzibegic got a bit angry.
"I played football with his father, but I don't think his father taught him how to play civilized football. That was absolutely an action that shouldn't have appeared.
But it did appear. I think Young Giresse can use this red card suspension time to properly ask his father for advice on how to play football. I think his father would be happy to teach him."
Hadzibegic's remarks were reported by the media afterward. After all, with French legend Giresse's name involved, it garnered decent attention.
This was also the first time most French fans learned that Giresse's son was also playing football, though apparently without much promise.
In fact, most football stars' children don't amount to much.
Legendary families like Italy's Maldinis are too rare.
Faced with Hadzibegic's sarcastic remarks and many fans mocking Giresse's lack of ability, Alain Giresse, currently serving as head coach of the Mali national team, responded on his personal social media account,
"I didn't see anything uncivilized. I only saw a player who, after being beaten, tried hard to make up for his mistake, although the method is questionable.
And is being beaten by Julien something shameful? Has anyone managed to stop him? As far as I know, a certain top player in the national team was also left sprawling on the ground by Julien's moves. I'm proud of Thibo. He's pursuing his dream career, which is already remarkable."
Alain Giresse's response shifted fans' attention away from Thibault Giresse's red card incident.
Everyone became curious about who had been left sprawling by Julien.
Without a specific name, fans were all speculating which player from France's defensive line it might be.
No answers, but no one came forward to deny it either.
This made fans increasingly recognize Julien's abilities.
English media even asked Manchester United and French national team captain Evra about the details after a United match.
Evra didn't answer directly. "Perhaps. Julien is a very good player."
Besides Evra, others even avoided discussing the question altogether.
Manchester.
At Manchester City's Carrington Training Ground, Nasri was furiously smashing everything in sight in his room.
From small items like kettles to large ones like televisions.
The media reports didn't mention his name once, but he felt the fans' speculation was like whips constantly lashing his body and soul.
Humiliation!
While being nutmegged is normal enough,
Nasri couldn't accept that someone of his stature—a top-earning starter for a Premier League team—had been nutmegged by a Ligue 2 forward earning a pitiful few thousand euros monthly salary!
What made him even angrier was that he had no way to retaliate for now.
He could only rage helplessly.
"Merde!!"
Bastia.
As the French Cup semifinal approached, the fans' enthusiasm grew higher and higher.
Corsican and Bastia media were all building up excitement for this match.
The only thing that annoyed Bastia people was that this match would be played at Quevilly-Rouen's home ground.
But under the UB association's organization, the away supporters had already filled their quota.
Modoso even suggested, "We can buy their home tickets, don't wear any team-related jerseys, just act like neutral spectators. Then don't cheer at all, stay silent, and provide cover for our main force in the away section!"
The fans were quietly and carefully preparing.
Inside Bastia.
After a brief tactical summary, Hadzibegic tapped the tactical board. "A National League team—this might be our luckiest draw, but it could also be our worst. They'll definitely park the bus and defend at home. I hope you won't become the backdrop for their advancement like Marseille did."
While he was speaking, Hadzibegic looked at Julien. "Julien, don't limit yourself to the right wing. Cut inside more, move into the half-spaces, use your dribbling to stretch their formation."
"Maolida!"
"Here."
Hadzibegic pointed at him. "Pin down, occupy at least one defender. Any problems?"
"None!" Maolida patted his chest. "I'll definitely put pressure on their center-backs!"
"That's perfect. You must provide support for Julien and be ready to receive his passes and shoot at any time."
Then came Rothen, Joplin—Hadzibegic went through each name one by one.
All instructions pointed to a single core—Julien.
Everyone had to create opportunities for Julien.
After Hadzibegic finished everything, he suddenly flipped the tactical board over. The name changed from Quevilly-Rouen to Lyon.
"This will also be the tactics for the next French Cup match."
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