[{"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-165":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},1555852,2020,"Chapter 165: Chapter-165 Talent","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>Talent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was pure talent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every fan who witnessed this goal had only one thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Rocca's ball control was simply extraordinary!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under physical pressure, he maintained perfect control of the ball. He completed the skill to beat his man-marking. And facing the goalkeeper at the end, he stayed true to his style—beating him before facing an empty net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this wasn't talent, what was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sideline, Tabárez watched De Rocca's goal and felt like he was watching the Copa América.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was how South American players played football—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tactics?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What tactics?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tactic was: give me the ball and watch me perform what we call a \"Maradonian solo run.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference was that those players rarely succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, De Rocca had succeeded. And his goal perfectly embodied what Tabárez had told his players before the match: \"De Rocca's footwork is no worse than any Brazilian's\" and \"He doesn't play like a European.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Football often had regional stereotypes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Europeans: rigid players, tactical cogs with little creativity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>South Americans: naturally gifted with strong individual creativity but poor tactical discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Africans: average football intelligence but explosive physicality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asians: few who could really play the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the field, Uruguay's attacking players were equally stunned by De Rocca's sequence of skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Suárez was left speechless. A player of Julien's height could play like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key was that those beaten by De Rocca weren't nobodies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Godín, the core of Atlético's \"iron defense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Álvaro Pereira, Inter's versatile left-sided utility player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forlán called out to Suárez and Cavani: \"You two need to interchange positions more. They're basically man-marking us, so keep moving. I'll find you with passes—be decisive when shooting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suárez and Cavani nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the national team, Forlán was the elder statesman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2010, Forlán had almost single-handedly carried Uruguay to the World Cup semifinals, becoming the first Golden Ball winner whose team didn't finish in the top three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, that was peak Forlán, but he hadn't yet been joined by peak Suárez and Cavani.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Suárez had provided one of that World Cup's most iconic moments: his handball to deny a certain goal, followed by Gyan's penalty miss, leading Uruguay to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Ghana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deschamps' tactics remained defense-first, with attacks depending solely on individual brilliance from the front players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uruguay clearly strengthened their defensive focus on De Rocca's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This opened up opportunities for Ribéry. But Uruguay's attacking threat remained strong, basically pinning France back in their own half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cavani unleashed a thunderous shot from the edge of the box. At Napoli, he was famous for his long-range strikes and surging runs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball flew toward goal, and Lloris made a flying save.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball was parried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suárez was first to react, rushing for the rebound. Varane desperately tried to block him but couldn't hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as Suárez charged forward those two steps, he not only drew Varane's attention but also that of the grounded Lloris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither noticed another figure rushing in from the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forlán!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate side-foot finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball hit the net!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee pointed to the center circle, signaling a valid goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>22 minutes in, Uruguay had equalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forlán celebrated excitedly, embracing Suárez, Cavani, and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deschamps shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The defense still needed work, this French team was still too weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only consolation was that he had enough time to adjust the squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no major tournaments on the immediate horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The national team's only task was World Cup qualifying—reaching the finals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, watching the broadcast from his Paris home, former coach Blanc had a similar reaction to Deschamps, he was just shaking his head at the goal conceded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was no longer France's head coach, the habits of leadership made him instinctively turn on the television to watch the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trusted Deschamps. But he also knew that France's national team was indeed in a rebuilding phase, it would be an extremely difficult period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know where Deschamps would take this French team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blanc felt that during his tenure, while he hadn't achieved his targets as the European Championship semifinal had only come through De Rocca's self-sacrifice, he felt that he could still be somewhat proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proud of cleaning up the national team's problems and promoting a top talent like Julien De Rocca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his greatest contribution to France during his coaching career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Blanc's eyes, the current French team still had only De Rocca as a genuine threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ribéry was no longer a pure winger, he was dropping deeper and functioning more as a playmaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Center-forward Giroud had almost no independent attacking ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, excited commentary burst from the television.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"De Rocca's counterattack! This is his most comfortable way to receive the ball—only Pereira stands between him and goal. It's a pure test of speed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Océane Stadium, all the French fans along the right flank were on their feet. Their eyes locked onto De Rocca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uruguay attacked, France won the ball back, and Julien received a pass from veteran Réveillère, charging down the touchline in a straight sprint!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With burst mode activated, his stamina dropped rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was also pulling further ahead of Pereira. Julien glanced toward the center, looking for a chance to cut inside. Suddenly, he caught sight of a figure in his peripheral vision catching up from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Cavani!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Uruguayan striker's greatest asset was his tireless running which was visible in both defense and attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien deliberately slowed his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Cavani closed in and was about to make contact, he suddenly stopped sharply, cutting the ball inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cavani immediately turned and reached out to intercept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien nudged the ball forward and exploded past him, creating separation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cavani didn't give up his defensive pursuit, and kept chasing despite being several steps behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Godín stepped out to defend, joined by Pereira and Arévalo—Palermo's \"bulldog\"—all converging to surround him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were all players stronger in defense than attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien found himself quickly encircled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing nearly four defenders in the trap, he didn't slow down but instead charged toward Godín before they could complete their encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Godín didn't back down, moving toward De Rocca, but Julien's foot speed was quicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had a second burst of acceleration!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Godín hadn't expected the sudden increase in pace and was a step slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single step allowed De Rocca to slip through the gap between him and Arévalo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arévalo quickly grabbed his jersey. But Julien had already released the pass!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While everyone's attention was focused on him, Giroud had dropped back a step, creating space between himself and PSG center-back Lugano.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his age, Lugano couldn't match the first step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the space created, Giroud didn't waste De Rocca's brilliant pass, sending the ball through Muslera's fingers and into the net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last season's Ligue 1 top scorer showed his class!\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>",1169,"2026-06-06T07:35:06.182Z",1,"novelbin.me","83ad12ecd12c68865a94b5d0169a2f72a144274fddf95f51a5124194aca48e7c","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-166","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-164",628,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Femperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-cover.jpg"]