[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca":3,"chapter-emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-139":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Emperor of Football: Julien De Rocca",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1555976,2020,"Chapter 139: Chapter-139 Chances","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-139",139,"\u003Cp>\"This European Championship has seen an emergence of talent. In just the first round of group stage matches, 18-year-old and 71-day-old Williams from the Netherlands broke the record for youngest European Championship appearance, previously held by Belgian legend Enzo Scifo since 1984. Shortly after, 17-year-old French winger Julien De Rocca broke the record once again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every team has left us with unforgettable young players. These young faces are likely to become regular fixtures in their national teams, perhaps even key players.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"24-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper Patrício, 22-year-old Ukrainian striker Yarmolenko, 23-year-old German midfielder Reus, 21-year-old English striker Welbeck, and 23-year-old Spanish fullback Alba—all these players had outstanding performances during the group stage. Some have even shown star potential in the knockout rounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, the player who left the deepest impression on fans is still the 17-year-old French winger, Julien De Rocca.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two group stage appearances: one as a substitute to score the winner against England, one as a starter with a goal and an assist. Today's knockout match against Italy, he starts once again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But in the first half, against Italy's iron wall defense, De Rocca had few opportunities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commentary voice echoed from the television. In the clinking glass tumblers, pastis reflected the broadcast images.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue and white colors intertwined. Wave after wave of tackles and sprints drew gasps from the tavern patrons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were also the old fans at Sunset Coffee Tavern, indignant on De Rocca's behalf—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is this De Rocca having few opportunities? It's clearly that the French team doesn't have anyone worthy of playing alongside Julien!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The French team is getting worse and worse. I don't know if any capable young players will emerge, or I'm really worried Julien will be wasted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julien's ball-handling ability is clearly a cut above the rest of the team, but no one can share the burden with him, so most of the opposing defense is focused on him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's getting more and more pathetic. After the era of Zidane and Deschamps, the French team has been in decline. We're still living in the past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glass was slammed down hard on the table. \"Bertrand, more wine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bertrand rushed over with the bottle and filled the glass to the brim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mexès commits a clumsy foul! He receives France's third yellow card of the match! Balotelli's impact was too strong. Italy gets a free kick about four meters outside the penalty area. France is in foul trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commentary continued to flow from the television.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern fans' faces all looked grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bertrand, the bill. See you at the Super Cup next season.\" A fan placed his glass aside and staggered toward Bertrand, wanting to pay him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he didn't want to watch anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Martin, go rest in the back room for a bit. Don't worry about the bill, you're drunk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What, they're going to score? No! No way, Italy won't score!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bertrand shook his head and called on nearby fans to help escort Martin to the back room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We pay taxes to watch this?! Screw this! Go home!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've seen enough of this farce, let's go home!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Playing like amateur youth league players!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Bertrand reached the back room, he could hear the continuous cursing echoing from the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin's eyes were closed, but he was still unconsciously muttering, \"They're all useless, wasting De Rocca's talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bertrand walked out of the room. The tavern atmosphere wasn't great. Most fans were cursing while shaking their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned and looked toward the TV screen: the score had changed to 2-0.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Italy had scored again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broadcast was still showing replays of that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pirlo's free kick to the far post, Chiellini heading the ball into the goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people had already put down their glasses, wanting to settle their bills and go home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>73rd minute, Italy 2-0 France.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had no desire to continue watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the Italians were celebrating wildly, the referee blew his whistle and raised his right hand: offside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The linesman had also raised his flag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!! Offside!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's still a chance!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the tavern's mood lifted, this was a feeling of being saved from disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they knew there probably wouldn't be any more miracles tonight, deep down, they still yearned for that glimmer of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said they weren't watching anymore, that they were going home, but their bu*ts didn't move from their seats, their eyes were still glued to the TV screen. This is what being a football fan means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cazzo!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chiellini passed by De Rocca, he was still muttering under his breath, he didn't think it was offside. But the referee had blown his whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien wiped the sweat from his face. Throughout this period, he had tried desperately to link up the front line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was the same old problem, his teammates couldn't hold onto the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giroud's dropping back wasn't as effective as Benzema's. He was better suited to battling center-backs in the penalty area, creating space for wingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever Julien made a move, three players would converge on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when he drifted toward the center, without other teammates to draw attention, he would be marked out of the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ribéry on the left could barely manage to get to the byline for crosses, but that was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Italy simply defended against Ribéry's cutting inside and let him cross from the byline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien exhaled heavily. He needed a chance! Just one chance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blanc quickly made a substitution during the dead ball, taking off the aging Diarra and bringing on Matuidi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having Matuidi partner with Cabaye should at least enable them to get the ball to the front line in midfield!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, this substitution only strengthened the defense. At least Matuidi could run and stick to Pirlo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Italy's attacks were repeatedly intercepted by the French team. But time was also ticking away, minute by minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Italy made their own changes. Prandelli substituted Nocerino for De Rossi, then Motta for Cassano.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was to strengthen the defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the clock showing over eighty minutes, Prandelli planned to gradually tighten the defense and see out the remaining time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would win!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>81:32\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deschamps looked at the time on the scoreboard and said to Zidane with a bitter smile, \"For the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, I might have to replace at least half the squad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zidane nodded slightly, saying nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he was like those silent French fans, slowly dying inside while yearning for a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward De Rocca. Somehow, Zidane had an intuition that De Rocca would become France's hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked again toward the Bastia fans across the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white \"De Rocca\" banners kept undulating, like Mediterranean evening breezes rippling the water, spreading in circles, gently lapping the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>________________________________________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Check out my patreon where you can read more chapters:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FLorianFiction\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks for your support!\u003C\u002Fp>",1147,"2026-06-06T07:35:06.180Z",1,"novelbin.me","ebc0dae7c8124ee85e73895d57319822bbb0d1166d777dd7a490e41f02e1635b","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-140","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-138",628,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Femperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-cover.jpg"]