[{"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-172":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},1555859,2020,"Chapter 172: Chapter-172 Tackles","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>Whistle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the referee blew his whistle and showed a yellow card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reims's attack broke down when Kanté poked the ball away and Rothen passed it wide to De Rocca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien let the ball run, turned, and was kicked in the shin by Rigonato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went down clutching his leg, grimacing in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! You're committing a crime, you bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Angula, break this guy's legs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The abuse from the fans in the nearby stand was clearly audible to the players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rigonato shrugged and told the referee it wasn't intentional, then bent down to pat Julien. \"Sorry, bro. I didn't mean it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne pushed Rigonato away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bending down, he asked De Rocca, \"How is it? Do you need the physio?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine, just a knock. It'll be okay in a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien actually knew that Rigonato's challenge was completely intentional!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get the ball or get the man!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, he'd face much more of this type of defending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Durability was also a talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The free kick was taken and cleared out for a throw-in by a Reims player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the final minutes of the first half, Reims maintained their attacking momentum, not retreating even when Bastia took their throw-in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Théoni threw the ball to De Bruyne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without stopping, De Bruyne knocked it to Rothen. Reims players swarmed toward nearby opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rothen received the ball, took a step across, suddenly cut inside and slipped it through to De Rocca on the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Rocca collected the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reims's entire right flank tensed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Takalfred dropped back to defend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Romelu!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But De Rocca didn't dribble as the Reims players expected. Instead, he roared out a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball flew toward the space behind Reims's central defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here it comes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing De Rocca's through ball, Lukaku's eyes sparkled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed off powerfully and sprinted forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was exactly the type of ball he loved most—just run like hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Romelu! His pace is absolutely explosive—it's hard to imagine this speed from such a big player!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commentator's words weren't finished when he exclaimed, \"One-on-one! Romelu's through on goal!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaku's speed was undeniable—a lower-league destroyer. Defending him, Takalfred couldn't match Lukaku's pace once separation was created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weber on the other side couldn't even get back in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both could only watch helplessly as Lukaku broke clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cesari Stadium fans' eyes widened instantly, all expecting the next moment's goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agassa came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaku unleashed a low drive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agassa made an incredible save, getting his foot to block Lukaku's shot path. The ball flew to the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaku held his head in his hands, looking completely bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fans groaned in disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then their eyes immediately focused on their number 10.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien had a good habit—no matter what kind of chance his teammates had, he always assumed they'd miss and was ready for the rebound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than just standing and watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the Reims players expected Julien's forward run to be so quick. Seeing the one-on-one, they were already preparing for the restart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Krehoviák remained alert. He'd been tracking De Rocca throughout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was a step too slow. After De Rocca controlled the ball with his chest and unleashed a left-footed volley, Krehoviák finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agassa desperately scrambled up from the ground for a second save, but De Rocca's left-footed strike was too quick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cesari Stadium exploded like cold water hitting hot oil—absolutely thunderous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3-0 at halftime!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastia had gone mad!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Rocca had gone mad!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien spun toward the corner flag, cupping his hand to his ear as if listening to the fans' roars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"De Rocca!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bastia supporters screamed even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne was closest to De Rocca. When Julien made his forward run, Kevin had done the same. Both had similar thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a midfielder, De Bruyne had an attacking heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julien, brilliant finish!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne wanted to high-five De Rocca, but Julien pulled him into a solid embrace instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other teammates also came forward to celebrate. Rothen continuously raised both arms toward the fans, shouting, \"FORZA, Bastia!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supporters were already in a frenzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Rothen leading the atmosphere, they became even more passionate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modoso, shirtless, stood on his seat, waving a Moorish flag representing Bastia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roaring while waving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Cesari Stadium was filled with surging crowds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue home section resembled ocean waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Reims players hung their heads as they walked toward the center circle. Conceding another goal just before halftime was a massive blow to team morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reims had already undergone significant squad changes for the new season, with players still unfamiliar with each other and lacking chemistry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this situation, they were falling apart completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brace! This is De Rocca's report card from his first ever Ligue 1 match—just one half! He gives us a concrete understanding of the word 'genius.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The TF1 commentator's words were full of praise for De Rocca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Bastia fans watching the broadcast thought he was still being too modest—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Genius?! No, the word 'genius' has never been sufficient to describe De Rocca. He is our Bastia's football GOAT! The French empire star!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This season, the league title is obviously out of reach, but looking at this performance, we can definitely fight for Champions League qualification! Bastia's first-ever Champions League appearance—is it really coming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Champions League—such foreign words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Chataigner wasn't considering this question at all. Seeing the 3-0 lead after the celebrations, his first instinct was to message the team's assistant coach: \"Tell Faruk at halftime—De Rocca needs to rest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending the message, Chataigner was still savoring the first half, a smile spreading across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ligue 1!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastia was back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whistle!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first half ended with the referee's whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastia players wore smiles, chatting and laughing as they left the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Reims players walked silently into the dressing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send London the profile on that young Bastia defensive midfielder later. I think this little guy has value that Chelsea should monitor and develop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elion felt that Bastia matches were worth watching more often—this team exceeded his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N'Golo Kanté?\" Emenalo questioned. \"Is he really good enough? He looks a bit short.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elion replied, \"He's still young, but I think he has great potential. Large coverage area, stamina, willingness to run—that's enough. Other things like interceptions and tackles can improve with proper training and more match experience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Elion continued, \"As for height, this kid is probably 5'7\", but Makélélé and Essien weren't much taller than him. I have a feeling Kanté could rival Makélélé and Essien in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emenalo remained noncommittal. \"Maybe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During halftime at the Cesari Stadium, there was a brief calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fans' excitement and joy were unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many were still discussing the first half, exploring Bastia's possibilities for the new season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Champions League qualification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the words most fans mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This season, as long as we get out of the Europa League group stage, if we can really finish in the top three in Ligue 1 for Champions League qualification, that would be success!\"\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>",1197,"2026-06-06T07:35:06.182Z",1,"novelbin.me","ab0d89a8a0a17906f9bed99c82261c1c7d7df77007d91264c01c87bdb6843f1e","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-173","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-171",628,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Femperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-cover.jpg"]