Before the match against Bordeaux, journalists had pressed Hadzibegic about potential rotation. The veteran coach had deflected with his usual evasiveness, leaving more questions than answers in his wake.
When the starting lineup dropped an hour before kickoff, the football world collectively held its breath and asked a single question.
Had Bastia completely given up on this match?
It was wholesale rotation—nearly every position changed from the team that had stunned Inter Milan at San Siro. Only goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez remained from that historic night. Every other starter was different.
Against a mid-table Ligue 1 side like Bordeaux, this second-string lineup stood little chance. By halftime, Bastia trailed 0-1, and the result felt inevitable.
In the second half, Hadzibegic showed no inclination to adjust. His substitutes remained glued to the bench, arms crossed, watching their teammates struggle on the pitch. Yet remarkably, there was no discontent within the squad which seemed to show the harmonious atmosphere that had quietly become Bastia's greatest strength.
But there was another factor at play.
Paris Saint-Germain, juggling Champions League, Coupe de France, and league commitments, had kicked off their match an hour earlier. Already trailing Bastia by 13 points in the table, their result would dictate Hadzibegic's decision-making.
At halftime, the news filtered through: PSG had drawn 2-2 away at Saint-Étienne.
Hadzibegic had made his rotation decision prepared to concede three points to PSG. Now, even in defeat, Bastia would maintain a 12-point cushion at the top which was completely acceptable given the bigger picture.
The second half unfolded at a relaxed pace. Bastia seemed content to let the match drift by, their minds were already on the Europa League return leg.
The broadcast cameras, sensing the story, kept cutting to Bastia's bench—particularly to Julien.
"Present here at the Matmut Atlantique," the TF1 commentator noted, "we can see Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps in the stands. Clearly, they've come to observe Julien, Kanté, and others. Unfortunately for them, Bastia has opted for full rotation today."
But that wasn't entirely accurate.
Both men knew full well that Bastia would rotate heavily—there was no tactical reason to be here. Yet they'd come anyway, and it had nothing to do with scouting.
With media speculation swirling around Julien, their presence sent a clear message: We stand with you.
As the "boring" match unfolded below, Deschamps leaned toward Zidane, mining for information. "How's Raphaël performing lately? Any promising French youngsters in La Liga worth watching?"
Deschamps' biggest headache remained France's shallow talent pool—the lack of players who could genuinely excite and encourage.
Zidane shrugged; his expression disinterested. "I only really know Real Madrid inside out. Raphaël's been solid and consistent, but he needs more time to develop. Although..." he paused thoughtfully, "perhaps Antoine Griezmann at Real Sociedad deserves a closer look."
Their conversation wandered, but inevitably circled back to Julien.
"After we finish with Spain," Deschamps said quietly, "once this World Cup qualifying window closes, I'm planning to give Julien the captain's armband."
Zidane's eyebrows shot up. "Isn't that a bit... aggressive?"
Deschamps turned with a knowing smile. "And you're not aggressive?"
They shared a laugh, the kind that comes from mutual understanding.
"It's not that I'm aggressive," Zidane said, still grinning. "It's that Julien's progress has been too rapid to ignore."
It was the truth. From the twilight of Laurent Blanc's tenure, Julien had used sheer talent and relentless determination to earn France's number 10 shirt. Now, he was clad to wear the captain's armband—becoming France's leader in every sense.
On the pitch, both teams moved through the motions. The tempo remained dull; the quality was unremarkable.
When the final whistle sounded, Bordeaux had secured a comfortable 2-0 victory.
The Bastia bench showed no disappointment. Only the fringe players who'd earned rare starts seemed slightly deflated, frustrated at squandering their opportunity to impress.
At the press conference, Hadzibegic was straightforward about the rotation.
"Fighting on two fronts—this was a necessary choice," He stated flatly. "We had to prioritize."
When asked about Wednesday's Europa League second leg, his expression hardened. "Things have reached this point. There's nothing left to say except we'll give everything we have."
A journalist then brought up Inter's precarious situation—Andrea Stramaccioni's position as manager reportedly hanging by a thread. Was this good or bad for Bastia?
Hadzibegic bypassed the question tactfully. "This is the challenge of being a head coach. We must satisfy the fans, the players, and the club to keep our jobs. Stramaccioni is still young. I believe he'll handle the pressure—it's part of the journey to becoming an elite manager."
While Hadzibegic directed the press conference, Julien met with Zidane and Deschamps in private. Both men embraced him warmly.
The moment was captured by nearby photographers—an image that would circulate widely in the coming days.
After a brief conversation, Deschamps departed first. Zidane, however, was intercepted by reporters requesting an interview. Without hesitation, he agreed. If he'd wanted to avoid questions, he wouldn't have lingered.
"Zizou, welcome back to Bordeaux!" the reporter began enthusiastically. "Thank you for taking the time. As a French football legend and former hero of this city, you've come specifically to watch this Bastia-Bordeaux match. Was it primarily to observe De Rocca? After all, his performance at San Siro shocked all of Europe."
Zidane's eyes softened with nostalgic warmth; his smile was genuine. "Returning to Bordeaux always feels special. The air here, this stadium, those familiar streets—they hold my earliest dreams and the sweat of my youth."
He paused, glancing toward the pitch. "Today was about seeing old friends and feeling the passion of football in this place. But yes, of course, it was also to witness Julien's brilliance up close. His recent form has been so dazzling, it's impossible not to focus on him."
The reporter, sensing Zidane's openness, pressed forward. "How do you evaluate his emergence this past year? Especially on a platform like Bastia?"
Zidane's gaze grew distant, and pensive. "Watching Julien sometimes reminds me of my younger self—not in playing style, but in that explosive energy that emerges when you're trusted, when you're given responsibility in the right environment.
At Bordeaux, I was fortunate to have coaches and teammates who understood me, who gave me space to grow. Julien is experiencing something similar at Bastia—perhaps something even greater. He's carrying an entire team, an entire island, and a piece of French football's imagination on his shoulders."
His voice gained intensity. "After the San Siro match, I read that article about him. Frankly, it wasn't just a football story—it was an epic about the depths of human nature, about resilience and redemption.
His achievements at Bastia—leading them back to Ligue 1, competing for European qualification, performing miracles in the Europa League—these are inseparable from his explosive personal growth. They've elevated each other."
"The platform gave him the trust and stage that Bordeaux once gave me. In return, he's delivered absolute loyalty and unimaginable value. The challenges he's faced here, the pressure, the baptism of competing on two fronts—these are priceless experiences that no superclub can fully replicate. They've accelerated his maturation into a truly elite player."
The reporter continued: "We saw Bastia rotate heavily today. The main players are clearly exhausted, and Julien as the absolute core didn't feature. What advice would you give him?"
Zidane shook his head with a gentle smile. "Advice? A player like Julien doesn't need conventional advice. His internal drive far exceeds normal limits.
My confidence in him isn't about doubting his ability—it's about recognizing that he possesses that superstar quality that can decide matches at the highest level. Just as we once yearned to prove ourselves in this city."
"As for fatigue?" Zidane's expression became resolute. "It's part of any great journey. To shine on the biggest stages requires extraordinary sacrifice. I trust Bastia's coaching staff and Julien himself understand the importance of balance—protecting your core players means unleashing their maximum, decisive energy at the most critical moments.
I'm also pleased to see Didier here with the same attention and expectations. France's future needs players with talent, fighting spirit, and a champion's mentality. Julien's path, the will he's demonstrated, and his ability to solve problems in matches—all of this places him at the center of that constellation."
"So, you believe Julien is ready to become France's core?" the reporter asked directly.
Zidane chose his words here carefully. "In football, 'ready' is a dynamic process. But the qualities Julien displays now: calmness in key moments, decisive ability to change matches, and that fearless competitive will forged from adversity, these are precisely the core elements needed to lead a great team to conquer the summit.
And anyone who's watched Julien play for the national team knows the truth: he already is the team's wing core, the absolute explosive threat."
His voice carried conviction. "I'm honored to witness, as an observer and supporter of French football, the rise of such a star. I believe everyone who loves French football shares my fervent, unreserved expectations for his future."
After a few more questions, Zidane concluded the interview, having said everything he'd come to say.
The reporter had gotten exactly what she wanted—a resounding endorsement from France's greatest player.
Because who was Zinedine Zidane?
French football's GOAT. When he publicly states that Julien has "the quality to decide matches at the highest level," it carries more weight than any scout report. This was an unambiguous public endorsement.
Bastia flew back to Corsica that same night. The Bordeaux defeat barely registered in the media cycle, overshadowed by two far bigger stories: Zidane's public support of Julien, and Bastia's impending life-or-death second leg against Inter Milan.
The external noise grew louder, gradually seeping into the team's atmosphere. Players began showing subtle signs of tension.
The day before the match, after training concluded, Hadzibegic gathered everyone together.
His gaze swept across the squad. The usually stern, old-school coach showed unexpected softness in his expression.
"Beautiful sunshine today," he began conversationally. "Perfect weather for football, don't you think?"
The players chuckled, tension easing slightly.
Hadzibegic continued. "I know you're all thinking about tomorrow night's test. Inter Milan, the giants of the Meazza, arriving with a two-goal deficit to erase. The media's gone crazy—calling us dark horses, predicting their comeback."
He shrugged dismissively. "Let them talk."
"Last week in Bordeaux?" His voice gained energy. "That was a deliberate 'mini-vacation' I gave you. We weren't just preserving strength—we were storing battery power!"
"Look at your training form today—like you've got fresh batteries installed! That's exactly what we wanted! Every ounce of energy we saved on Bordeaux's pitch is going to be unleashed tomorrow night at Stade Armand Cesari!"
As always, Hadzibegic's composure lasted only so long before his natural intensity broke through. His language turned more colorful, more raw.
But the players loved him for it. Laughter resounded through the group, as nerves were continuing to settle.
Realizing he'd gotten carried away again, Hadzibegic smiled and pressed on. "The tactical details—I trust you've mastered them by now. Three core principles, simple and clear:"
"Defend solidly: Kanté, you're our midfield vacuum cleaner—sweep everything! Van Dijk, Angoula, you're our anchors—clear every aerial ball, every ground pass! No panic. Hold your positions. Communicate constantly! Set pieces follow the same rules—man-marking, everyone assigned!"
"Attack quickly: Julien, Mané, Lukaku! What's the counter-attack trigger? Their mistakes! Our successful clearances! When the ball breaks free, don't hesitate—become three bolts of lightning striking forward! Julien, when you get the ball, trust your instincts! Dribble if you can beat them, pass if a teammate's in better position. Whatever's most effective!"
"Stay sharp mentally: De Bruyne, you're the brain. Control the tempo. We're ahead—don't rush. Keep possession, make them chase. Tire them out."
Hadzibegic waved his hand, as if catching himself again. "Damn, I'm talking too much again. Just remember this: you're not just representing Bastia, you're representing all of Corsica! The island's fans are watching. This isn't just Bastia's historic moment, it's Corsica's historic moment. Don't treat it as pressure. Turn it into motivation! Into glory!"
"Is Inter Milan strong? Absolutely! But remember—they're coming to our territory. They want a comeback? Ask the grass at Cesari if it agrees! Ask our twenty thousand fans if they agree!"
"Alright, enough tension. Training's over. Go home, rest well. Watch some TV, listen to music. Stop overthinking the match. Recharge fully, because tomorrow night, we're turning Cesari into a festival of joy and sending Inter Milan home."
"Dismissed! Remember—tomorrow is a celebration, not a war. Enjoy it! FORZA BASTIA!"
The players responded with unified passion: "FORZA BASTIA!"
After dismissal, Julien walked with teammates through the gentle Mediterranean breeze. Their expressions radiated determination.
Having come this far, they shared one singular goal: The Europa League trophy.
Julien gazed toward the distant Mediterranean, its waters shimmering under the fading light. His resolve hardened.
"Win the Europa League. Make it the perfect farewell gift to Bastia."
That evening, Hadzibegic and captain Rothen attended the pre-match press conference together.
"Regarding the Bordeaux match," Hadzibegic began, "it was a clear and necessary strategic choice. In Europa League knockout ties of this caliber, especially after establishing first-leg advantage, we had to ensure our core players could face this decisive battle in peak condition. The league is long, but European opportunities are fleeting. The players understood and accepted this decision. They know tonight at Cesari is our true final.
As for tactical strategy, football's core always revolves around offensive-defensive balance. We hold a two-goal advantage, but that doesn't mean we'll be conservative.
Inter Milan is a team with vast European experience and formidable individual quality. They'll come at us with everything. Our objective is controlling match tempo, leveraging home atmosphere, and showing lethal efficiency on the counter.
In this regard, Julien's role is crucial. His San Siro performance proved he possesses the ability to change matches under maximum pressure—whether through pace, dribbling, finishing, or calm decision-making in key moments."
Tonight, at Stade Armand Cesari, with twenty thousand fans roaring behind us, I believe he'll once again become our sharpest weapon. His presence alone is the greatest threat to any defense."
Captain Rothen, sitting beside him, added his perspective when asked about Julien.
"He's no longer the young player who needed our protection. The San Siro hat-trick, the decisive goals in countless crucial matches—he's evolved into this team's true leader and match-winner!
His pace can tear apart any defensive line. His composure finds opportunities in the most chaotic moments. More importantly, he has that 'Corsican wolf' edge that infects the entire squad!
Our job is ensuring the team functions around him, creating space, sharing pressure, and letting him work his magic up front. He's our nuclear weapon. Tonight, we're ready to detonate him again!"
While Bastia brimmed with fighting spirit, Inter Milan faced a different reality.
Despite needing a backs-to-the-wall performance, the Italian media relentlessly piled pressure on the Nerazzurri with one burning question: Would Stramaccioni be sacked immediately, or allowed to finish the season?
Within Inter, opinions were deeply divided. Some fans demanded change. Others advocated patience.
Inter legend Alessandro Altobelli even said publicly: "Stramaccioni should stay. With Moratti's experience, he knows who can build a competitive team for the future."
Despite such endorsements, the media had already compiled extensive lists of potential replacements: Mazzarri, Blanc, Mihajlović, all names floated as immediate successors.
Italian transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio offered his analysis: "Stramaccioni's fate is tied directly to Inter's next two matches—the Europa League return leg against Bastia and the league match versus Sampdoria.
If Inter produces good results, Stramaccioni will receive confirmation. Otherwise, truly shocking names could appear on the bench. Beyond Mazzarri, there's Mircea Lucescu and Laurent Blanc, with Blanc potentially taking over immediately if Inter collapses."
Gazzetta dello Sport added that despite Mihajlović currently managing Serbia's national team, he wouldn't refuse Inter's call. "Everything depends on Stramaccioni's results."
When interviewed by Gazzetta, Mihajlović didn't hide his ambition: "Yes, managing Inter Milan is my dream. That would be fantastic."
Spanish media even floated José Mourinho's name, suggesting the Special One might leave Real Madrid in summer, though PSG and Chelsea were also monitoring his situation.
Tuttosport mentioned Zdeněk Zeman and Cesare Prandelli, while acknowledging both seemed unlikely.
The conclusion was clear: After the 1-3 home defeat to Bastia, Stramaccioni's position had become shaky.
Though to be fair, no coach gets sacked over one match. It's always accumulated problems reaching critical point. Stramaccioni's case was no different.
Some Italian outlets suggested that even if he miraculously overturned Bastia, it would merely delay the inevitable.
Amid the swirling chaos, Stramaccioni appeared remarkably composed at his pre-match press conference.
"I believe my work should be evaluated at season's end, not now," He said firmly. "I've always had the president's support. Ultimately, it's his decision. My future will be determined by our final results, not a single match. I've never given up. I remain completely focused and will give everything I have."
Regarding Bastia, his tone shifted to pragmatic realism. "We must focus on the match ahead. The 1-3 scoreline is certainly difficult to overturn, but we want victory. We'll need some luck. Our squad is limited, but we'll finish this tie with pride. De Rocca's strength is formidable. We'll try to contain him—you'll see how we approach it."
With Inter's league form deteriorating—they'd dropped to fifth place, falling further from Champions League qualification, Stramaccioni acknowledged the psychological challenge.
"I need to find ways to restore the team's confidence, that's what we're missing now. I must reassure my players. That's my job: helping the team manage pressure during difficult periods. A coach must maintain a clear head."
Stramaccioni then announced Inter's 20-man squad for Bastia, with Álvarez returning from injury.
However, the injury list remained long: Samuel, Yuto Nagatomo, Milito, Silvestri, and others still sidelined.
Severely depleted, Inter had at least begun addressing squad issues for summer. They'd already secured four incoming transfers: Laxalt, Campagnaro, Andreolli, and were close to finalizing Mauro Icardi.
Rubén Botta, currently applying for Italian citizenship to avoid occupying a non-EU slot, would arrive soon.
But none of this helped Wednesday night. None of these reinforcements could save Stramaccioni if results didn't improve.
The pre-match rhetoric added fuel to an already blazing fire.
That evening, near Inter's Bastia hotel, Inter supporters clashed with local fans after vandalizing a street mural of Julien.
Enraged Bastia residents confronted them. Verbal arguments escalated into physical altercation.
Police arrived swiftly, restoring order before serious injuries occurred. Fortunately, no Bastia locals were hurt—the visiting Inter fans had received a thorough lesson in "away etiquette" before authorities intervened.
After mediation, both sides received light punishment: Inter fans paid fines and agreed to fund mural restoration, while Bastia supporters received stern warnings about treating visiting fans with respect.
A minor pre-match flashpoint, but symbolic of the tension crackling through the air.
The next day, Bastia transformed into an ocean of blue.
Thousands of supporters flooded the streets, streaming toward Stade Armand Cesari. The Europa League return leg—a genuine fight for survival would kick off at 7:00 PM.
Meanwhile, in London...
At the same time, across Europe in London, Alan Ellion had planned to travel to Belgium for youth scouting. But yesterday, Chelsea CEO Ron Gourlay had sent a cryptic message: someone wanted to meet him during tonight's match—Chelsea versus Steaua București.
Anyone important enough for Gourlay to personally arrange could only be one person.
That morning, when Ellion encountered Marina Granovskaia who was recently appointed to Chelsea's board—she'd confirmed his suspicion with a simple instruction: "Prepare a detailed update on Chelsea's youth academy situation."
Who else would require such preparation?
At 6:00 PM, two hours before kickoff, Ellion arrived at Stamford Bridge's executive offices.
There, as expected, stood the man himself.
Chelsea's owner.
Roman Abramovich.
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