[{"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-179":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},1555866,2020,"Chapter 179: Chapter-179 Lukaku","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-179",179,"\u003Cp>The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julien was so cool! Without his timely run, that big lump would have wasted the ball again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Belgian is such a weirdo. When you say he's good, he always wastes chances and makes basic errors; when you say he's bad, he always manages to trouble the opposition defense, create opportunities for teammates, and somehow scores every round.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, the weirdest thing is he wastes so many chances but still always ends up scoring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin patted his belly and belched: \"Every family has a crying child, every team has a striker who misses sitters. Come on, don't set your standards too high. We couldn't even afford a player like this—he's only on loan anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the fans sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With PSG's financial injection from their new ownership, French fans were beginning to see the tip of the iceberg that was financial football.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bertrand moved through the crowd, serving drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the conversation, he couldn't help saying. \"Everyone should watch and cherish this while they can. I dare say this season's squad is the strongest in our club's history, and we'll never have a stronger team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone objected: \"We reached a Europa League final before. I think it'll be difficult this season. This year's Europa League has so many European powerhouses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bertrand shrugged vaguely, \"We'll see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the serving tray on the bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the screen where Julien had once again been fouled by a defender, Bertrand cursed. \"Fucking hell, all they know how to do is foul!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he reflected on his earlier words. He truly believed this season's squad was Bastia's strongest ever. There would never be another dream team like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien couldn't be kept. Such a brilliant talent was destined not to remain long on this small Corsican island of Bastia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When fate's trajectory had so fortunately brought their paths together, those moments of madness, passion, and intensity were enough to be etched in eternity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the Julien mural in the Terra-Vecchia central building, it would forever remain in the hearts of everyone in this city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julien!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Route de Lorient Stadium, Théoni struggled to collect the ball and called out to Julien, wanting to pass to Julien who was dropping back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could make the pass, it was intercepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rennes' left midfielder Alessandrini cut out the pass and immediately drove down the left flank toward the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rothen tracked back to defend. Timing his moment, he slid in with a tackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alessandrini abandoned his plan to cut inside, stopped the ball to avoid Rothen, then delivered a cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball flew toward Erdinç's head, and the Turkish striker headed it toward goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bouncing shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The angle was too central, posing no real threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Novaes gathered the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Novaes tried to get to his feet, the ball suddenly slipped from his hands and dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erdinç reacted immediately, stretching out his foot to poke the ball home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Choplin was fully concentrated and quickly kicked the ball out for a throw-in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Novaes felt his heart skip a beat, shaken by what had nearly happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had almost gifted the opposition a goal through such a basic error.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching from the sideline, Hadzibegic nearly had a heart attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was terrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faruk shook his head helplessly. Novaes's performance over these ten-plus minutes was concerning. When they faced stronger teams later, Novaes could become their weakest link.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Novaes was really struggling in Ligue 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to find a new goalkeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with only a few days left in the summer transfer window, Chataigner hadn't prepared for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd have to make do with Novaes for now and consider signings in the winter window based on Bastia's position then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rennes took their throw-in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right winger number seven, Pitroipa, tried to receive the ball but was outmuscled by Sidibé, who won possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burkina Faso international Pitroipa had exceptional pace but a slight build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This limited both his personal career development and gave him no advantage in physical duels with Sidibé.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pitroipa was fast, but so was Sidibé.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, after Sidibé won the ball, Pitroipa tried to press, but Sidibé shielded him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sidibé pushed the ball forward and advanced quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastia counter-attack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne assessed the situation around him as he joined the attack through the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sidibé drove down the left flank all the way to the attacking third without any challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palmieri drifted infield, creating space on the outside for Sidibé while also drawing M'Vila's defensive attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one full-back, Danzé, was back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rennes' entire left side was defensively vulnerable—Antonetti had stationed at least four defensive players on the right flank to contain Julien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Down the left, Sidibé combined with Palmieri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that Lukaku in the center didn't particularly like heading, Sidibé didn't cross but instead played the ball back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to find De Bruyne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Palmieri was perfectly positioned in the passing lane, intercepted the ball, cut inside a couple of steps, and curled a shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball flew toward goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Costil was ready and easily tipped it over the crossbar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quality wasn't great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palmieri apologetically raised his hands to his teammates. He had been a bit hasty, but anyone seeing such a huge gap on the left would be tempted to have a go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left-side corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne delivered the corner, and Choplin, coming up to contest, got his head to the ball, directing it toward goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lukaku hadn't jumped and was standing in the center. Choplin's header struck Lukaku's head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball deflected out of the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien, lurking on the edge of the area, saw the ball coming and brought it under control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pajot didn't hesitate and immediately slid in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien took a touch to the left, avoiding Pajot's challenge, but other Rennes players were already converging on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien didn't waste any more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He curled the ball toward the far-left corner of the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't a shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes he wasn't completely confident in his finishing—this was a pass!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne had dropped back to the left to collect the corner, but seeing Julien on the ball, he immediately made a forward run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rennes' left side was already vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne's delayed run had even been aided by Palmieri's screening movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely unmarked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wide open!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball flew toward the left side of the six-yard box, and everyone looked in that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goalkeeper Costil initially thought Julien was shooting, but when he saw the ball's trajectory was wrong, he quickly moved toward the left post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne wasn't Lukaku.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Julien's cross, he didn't take a touch. Instead, he met it side-on with his right foot, firing a low volley!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Costil threw himself at the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt his fingertips might have touched it, but he was just short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>0-2!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne scored!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rennes fans were instantly deflated. How could Bastia's counter-attacks be so clinical?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Bruyne saw the ball go in, turned, and pointed at Julien with a broad smile. He didn't run out to celebrate wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just pumped his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he opened his arms wide to embrace the teammates rushing toward him in celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beautiful! Kevin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His teammates showered him with praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lukaku joined the celebration, he was still explaining to Choplin: \"I didn't notice, I couldn't get out of the way. I tried to dodge it...\"\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>",1252,"2026-06-06T07:35:06.182Z",1,"novelbin.me","7e64a67573d33b4a5bf7ccd8e066ff08dad7647fc0f97c958bc4f81ce776e97a","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-180","emperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-chapter-178",628,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Femperor-of-football-julien-de-rocca-cover.jpg"]