The article published by L'Équipe on their official website initially drew modest traffic, as Bastia fans were still caught up in their euphoric celebrations.
But Zidane and Deschamps had laid the groundwork. They knew the real impact would come tomorrow morning, when all channels under the Éditions Philippe Amaury group—L'Équipe's parent company would simultaneously run the story.
Tomorrow would be when the attention truly peaked.
Most people recognize EPA through L'Équipe, but two lesser-known facts highlight the publication's influence:
First, the Tour de France was created by the original L'Équipe in 1903 to boost circulation. The newspaper initially held the organizing rights before eventually transferring them.
Second, what we now know as the UEFA Champions League was established in 1955 through L'Équipe's initiative, bringing clubs together to create the competition.
UEFA initially resisted, but when football legends like Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabéu threw their support behind it and with the massive success of televised 1954 World Cup fresh in everyone's minds—UEFA recognized the enormous commercial potential and took over organization.
The rest is history.
While the article's influence continued brewing, the match itself between Inter and Bastia was making waves across Europe.
At the post-match press conference, the contrast between the two managers couldn't have been starker.
Hadzibegic, despite his team's victory, remained cautious: "The pressure on this team is immense. We must stay vigilant, stay focused. We're walking a tightrope—one mistake could destroy an entire season's work."
Stramaccioni, however, refused to acknowledge any tactical errors. Instead, he emphasized missed chances and Inter's injury crisis hampering the squad's capabilities.
"First, we must accept this result. 1-3 at the Meazza against such a vibrant team—it's deeply disappointing. But the match clearly demonstrated two things: we created and wasted opportunities, while our opponents capitalized on theirs, especially through De Rocca."
"We started well, controlled phases of the game, created threats. We had several excellent chances in the first half. If we'd converted just one, the entire complexion of the match might have changed. But at this level of European competition, efficiency is everything. We couldn't convert our dominance into goals, while Bastia had De Rocca."
He then pivoted to discussing Julien's goals and the defensive breakdowns.
"Regarding the three goals conceded: the first was a world-class free-kick. Honestly, it was beyond our preparation. Pre-match reports gave no indication he possessed that ability. Handanović made an incredible save attempt, but the angle was simply too acute. That was purely De Rocca's individual brilliance.
The second goal... the third goal... What De Rocca displayed wasn't just talent, but elite touch and decision-making under immense pressure. We committed sufficient numbers to defend him, but he exploited the tiniest gaps and punished us.
De Rocca completed his hat-trick with three completely different finishes. That alone demonstrates his comprehensive threat and current hot form."
When discussing Inter's prospects, Stramaccioni added, "Zanetti's goal is important—it preserves hope. Now, talking about the second leg is premature, but the task is clear and monumentally difficult. Overturning a 1-3 deficit at Bastia's fortress will require an extraordinary performance from us.
We've been affected by injuries and form issues—this isn't an excuse, it's a fact. Many players aren't at 100%. That said, we should have done better tonight, particularly in the final third. Our efficiency was poor..."
Throughout the entire press conference, Stramaccioni harped on two points: Bastia's players were exceptional, especially Julien, and Inter was severely hampered by injuries and poor finishing.
Not once did he address the tactical dimension.
This deflection didn't sit well with Inter's tifosi. It reeked of excuse-making. The Treble-winning squad—was it really that long ago?
The Italian media wasted no time sharpening their knives, unleashing waves of mockery and sarcasm.
An 18-year-old dismantles the Treble winners at San Siro with a hat-trick?
The fall from grace couldn't be more complete.
None of this concerned the Bastia players on their journey home.
At the airport, Julien found a quiet moment to make a call.
After leaving the Meazza, the squad headed straight to the airport for the flight back to France. Julien's phone was flooded with congratulatory messages, but one stood out—Zidane's text about the L'Équipe article.
Julien pulled up the newspaper's website on his phone. The placement was prominent; the coverage was even more extensive.
This had been discussed beforehand. The purpose was simply to generate momentum.
Julien understood and approved. In the emerging information age, a player's influence extended far beyond the pitch.
He was aware of this reality.
In the airport lounge, Julien dialed Zidane's number. The legend was still in Paris.
Zidane opened with congratulations. "An absolutely stunning hat-trick. I believe after tonight, Europe's elite clubs will be even more intensely interested in you."
Julien smiled and said. "I'm not thinking about that yet. I'm focused on Bastia and savoring tonight's victory."
Zidane shifted topics. "Did you see the article?"
"I did. Honestly, it's more... extensive than I expected."
Zidane's laugh crackled through the phone.
"Yes, this is what Didier and I decided together. We believe it's time the world sees the complete Julien De Rocca. I told you I'd wait for the right moment. I'm doing this now because I believe in you—in your present and your future. I believe in the power of this story itself. The moment has arrived."
Julien wasn't particularly concerned about timing—these off-field matters rarely affected him. His focus remained on steady self-improvement.
He hummed in acknowledgment.
Zidane continued, his voice gaining intensity. "Julien, your talent and achievements have already placed you under the spotlight. Any shadow, any blemish could be magnified infinitely.
I'm not worried about you—few players in football are as disciplined. But your past, those fragmented pieces of information that could be misinterpreted... rather than let others construct narratives with curiosity or even malice, we're taking control. We're telling the story in the most authentic, most powerful way possible.
This article isn't defining your 'stain'—it's declaring to the world: Look! This once-lost boy used football and willpower to complete the greatest self-redemption!
It transforms your 'weakness' into your most impenetrable armor."
Zidane was clearly building momentum, and was not pausing for response.
"Julien, you know French football needs a leader, especially after recent controversies. We need someone who embodies the spirit of France, who can inspire a generation.
Your story transcends football itself.
Didier and I both believe you're the one who can bear that expectation. This article lays the first stone on your path to becoming the indisputable core and leader of the national team. It tells everyone: Julien De Rocca isn't just a genius on the pitch—he's the embodiment of the French spirit.
Trust me, Julien. In football's world, especially at the international level, image, narrative, spiritual power—they matter as much as technical ability. Sometimes more. Maradona, Ronaldo, myself—we all experienced the process of media and public scrutiny, interpretation, even shaping. The key is controlling it, making it work for you.
Do you understand?"
Julien listened carefully. For a legendary figure to invest this much time and detail showed absolute commitment.
"I understand," he replied. "I'm working hard to set the right example for France's young players."
Zidane laughed again. "Of course. I see your dedication. That's why Didier and I are willing to back you. Keep pushing forward—the future is yours."
After a few more exchanges, Julien ended the call. His flight was boarding.
When he rejoined his teammates, they erupted in excited shouts. "Julien! You're going viral again!"
The L'Équipe piece was spreading rapidly.
On social media, many were praising Julien's performance, attributing it to raw talent.
Others pushed back: Julien is a genius, but he's built on far more than just talent alone.
They linked the L'Équipe article. And so Julien's past began circulating among fans once more.
L'Équipe hadn't just published a French version—English and other language editions were rolling out simultaneously.
Julien's story, his reputation, his achievements—all were seeping across the European continent with each Europa League victory.
During the flight home, Julien sat by the window, replaying Zidane's words.
The implication was quite clear: he was being groomed as France's next captain.
National team captaincy carried immense weight, and enormous responsibility. He'd need to replicate his Bastia success on the international stage.
But he felt confident.
France's problem was never a lack of talent—it was the absence of a unifying core.
This squad needed someone who could command the dressing room. Only then would everyone commit fully to winning.
Otherwise, they'd repeat the mistakes of recent years—too much infighting, too little unity.
And Benzema—that toxic element absolutely could not be recalled to the national team. Real Madrid's Benzema and France's Benzema were two completely different players.
Madrid fans saw him as the selfless workhorse, diligent and drama-free. But with France? Benzema had been involved in extortion scandals involving his own teammates.
"Brotherhood football," Julien muttered to himself, already strategizing how to build bonds with France's future "brothers."
So far, Kanté, Giroud, and Mbappé seemed straightforward.
Griezmann was manageable. Pogba would be trickier as he was an unpredictable genius who could dominate the midfield when motivated or cast jinxes when he wasn't.
When the plane touched down in Bastia, most players were exhausted.
Tonight's match hadn't been as comfortable as the scoreline showed. Defensively, they'd burned every ounce of energy. The physical toll combined with post-victory emotional highs left everyone drained.
There were brief farewells, then everyone dispersed to their homes.
The team returned quietly this time, without publicizing their arrival.
That's why no welcoming crowds were at the airport.
Back in his single-room dormitory, Julien showered and checked the comprehensive Europa League landscape.
With the Round of 32 complete, Tottenham, Mönchengladbach, and Atlético had been eliminated. The remaining sixteen featured even fewer traditional powerhouses.
Most matches had been decided by narrow margins—two goals or fewer.
What surprised him: Chelsea lost?
0-1 away to Steaua București.
He reviewed the match summary. No open-play goals—just a penalty converted by Steaua.
Steaua București might be unfamiliar to casual fans, but this club had legitimate pedigree. They'd won the European Cup in 1985/86, defeating a Schuster-led Barcelona in the final. After a goalless 120 minutes, Steaua's goalkeeper Duckadam became a legend—saving all four Barcelona penalties!
They were the first Eastern European club to lift the European Cup, undisputed Romanian royalty. The midfield maestro Hagi himself made his name at Steaua before moving to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Of course, that glory belonged to the past.
Modern Steaua couldn't match Premier League giants like Chelsea.
Julien scanned post-match coverage. The penalty decision was controversial—debatable even from any angle.
Chelsea manager Rafael Benítez, never one to mince words, unleashed his trademark passionate tirade.
Benítez questioned whether Russian referee Sergei Karasev's penalty decision was legitimate:
"I thought the penalty was soft. In situations like that, especially with so many watching, it seemed very soft. You can't change the outcome, but that penalty was extremely questionable. If you award a penalty, why not show a red card? Strange."
In fairness, Chelsea hadn't created many chances either. Steaua defended with eleven men behind the ball, suffocating space. Additionally, Chelsea clearly hadn't gone full-strength too—they had an FA Cup clash against Manchester United on Sunday.
Julien stared at Chelsea's name, recalling De Bruyne's words.
He didn't know whether to hope they'd be eliminated or advance.
If they advanced... surely the universe wouldn't be cruel enough to draw them in the Round of 16?
________________________________________________________
Check out my patreon where you can read more chapters:
patreon.com/LorianFiction
Thanks for your support!