Bale understood Julien's lip reading and knew what he said. Without further words, he turned toward the locker room.
Tottenham lost this match—that was the result, so Bale didn't want to say anything. As he said, they'd settle it next week.
Schedule-wise, Tottenham had a significant advantage.
They had no match the coming weekend and could rest a full week until traveling to Bastia next midweek for the second leg.
Conversely, Bastia still had a very important league match on the weekend.
Ligue 1's 24th round: Paris Saint-Germain hosting Bastia at home.
The teams were currently separated by 7 points, making this match extremely important.
Bastia definitely wouldn't want to give it up.
So, for Bastia, the real test of their resilience was coming.
Three consecutive high-intensity matches—could the team withstand it?
Post-match.
After praising his players' performance, Hadzibegic also addressed this point: "Bastia is in an extremely dangerous situation, requiring everyone to give their all to help the team. If we can't get through this, the team might collapse entirely. This isn't fear-mongering, but I believe in my players, as always."
Meanwhile.
The losing Villas-Boas also faced reporters' questions, but his were far sharper.
Reporter: "Losing 1-2 at home in the first leg, especially considering your opponent is a Ligue 1 team you may have underestimated—albeit the league leaders—this result is very disappointing. Where do you think the main problem was? Particularly being dismantled by an 18-year-old in the first half?"
Villas-Boas's tone was calm but somewhat cold. "First, I don't believe we underestimated any opponent. This is the Europa League knockout stage—every team is excellent. Bastia's current league position and tonight's display prove they're an emerging force in European football. They have a group of highly talented players and executed their tactics very efficiently tonight.
The first-half problem was that we didn't enter the match in ideal condition. After committing too many men forward in attack, we were caught by their exploitation of spaces in transitional moments on both flanks.
De Rocca—"
Villas-Boas paused briefly before continuing. "He possesses extraordinary speed and one-on-one ability, which we knew beforehand, but theoretical awareness and actually limiting him in practice are completely different things.
His breakthrough and goal, plus winning the penalty, exploited tiny errors in our individual defending and collective coverage coordination—this is exactly what top players do. We must admit, he dominated the first half."
Another reporter asked, "You mentioned knowing about De Rocca's abilities, but why didn't you make more targeted tactical arrangements? Like assigning someone to man-mark him or adopting a more conservative opening? We saw that before halftime adjustments; he seemed to do as he pleased on our right flank?"
Assistant coach Reid in the audience instinctively frowned at this question, because he had raised this very issue with Villas-Boas, but Villas-Boas had insisted Ekotto could handle Julien alone.
Villas-Boas naturally wouldn't admit his mistake.
He said, "We had targeted arrangements, requiring fullbacks to push up cautiously and midfielders to protect the flanks. But in those high-speed counterattacks, individual absolute ability sometimes exceeds tactical arrangements.
Ekotto has speed, but De Rocca's acceleration and changes of direction tonight showed world-class winger potential and quality.
At halftime we adjusted, strengthening midfield protection layers for the flanks. The second half was much better. Of course, this needs to be done earlier and more decisively in the second leg."
Reporters then asked about Villas-Boas's view on the team's overall performance.
Finally, another reporter asked about Julien again, as his buzz was significant enough.
Reporter: "De Rocca was substituted around 70 minutes due to excessive physical exhaustion, which seemed to relieve your pressure. In the second leg at Bastia's home, how will you ensure better exhaustion and limitation of him over 90 minutes? After all, he's young with strong recovery ability?"
Villas-Boas nodded slightly. "That's precisely one of the key points. De Rocca consumed massive energy, proving our defensive efforts began taking effect in the second half, adding difficulty to each of his breakthroughs.
At the same time, Bale's impact up front forced De Rocca to track back defensively, which is exactly what we wanted to see.
In the second leg, whether they start him or use him as a second-half option, our defensive strategy must have continuity: maintain compact defensive shape, limit his sprinting space, avoid easily giving him one-on-one opportunities in open areas, while continuously applying pressure to drain his stamina.
He's young, but consecutive high-intensity matches are also challenging.
Of course, Bastia isn't just De Rocca. De Bruyne's passing, Kanté's sweeping, Lukaku's impact are all excellent. We must limit their entire midfield and forward operation."
Finally came the question about confidence in reversing Bastia in the second leg.
Villas-Boas looked directly at the reporter; his tone was utterly confident: "I'm 100% certain we can advance. Tonight's result is disappointing, but this is a two-legged affair. This match was a wake-up call but also pointed toward areas for improvement."
Leaving the press conference, Villas-Boas noticed Reid's gaze on him, but he didn't look at Reid and left directly.
After the match, Bastia's players rushed back overnight.
On the plane, Chataigner said, "We've tried applying to the LFP (French Professional Football League) to postpone the weekend match against PSG. Of course, as direct competitors, I don't think you should get your hopes up."
"Haha."
Everyone laughed. Rothen said directly, "Let me sleep and I'll still crush them!"
Angoula laughed beside him. "Can't handle it already? As soon as we land, add another match—I could play them too!"
Rothen was amused, looking at Angoula. "By 'play' you mean Muay Thai kicks, right?"
"Hahaha!"
The whole team laughed. Including Julien.
While listening to his teammates' relaxed post-match banter, he reviewed tonight's match.
Julien felt he hadn't distributed his stamina well.
Some opportunities weren't seized either.
But ultimately, they won, which was good. This match directly added 50 points: high-level matches were definitely needed.
This brought his current total to 85 points.
If they could beat PSG, perhaps he could gather 100 to open a treasure chest?
By the second leg against Tottenham, maybe he'd have new enhancement abilities.
He pondered.
Lukaku in front turned around. Others had already moved to discussing the second leg against Tottenham. He said to Julien, "Julien! My brother! Your performance today was amazing; I wanted to kneel for you!
Two goals!
At White Hart Lane! You made it quiet as a library! It was Fucking awesome! Next week at our home, I'll screen for you, you just fly!"
Lukaku's words drew everyone's attention to Julien.
"Julien, be honest—was that nutmeg intentional? Haha, you nutmeg someone every match." Choplin laughed.
Julien shrugged. "No no no, purely because it's faster to get past that way."
Rothen chimed in, "Guys! Back in Corsica we gotta protect our precious Julien! Who's getting some Corsican wild boar to feed him? Still need him to carry us!"
"Hahaha."
There was laughter all around.
Seeing the excited players, Hadzibegic couldn't help saying, "Rest well. Tonight's match wasn't tiring? Don't forget the weekend match against PSG, followed immediately by Tottenham."
Everyone shrugged helplessly. Sometimes Hadzibegic was just that old-school.
But it was precisely because of his old-school ways that he never threw players under the bus publicly. Whether team failures or player mistakes, he considered them his responsibility.
Carrying their victorious joy, the players returned to Bastia in the early morning hours.
Having not announced the team's schedule, there were no fans at the airport. Everyone went home to rest as quickly as possible.
Finally, Hadzibegic reminded them, "Don't be late tomorrow afternoon—collective physiotherapy and relaxation for everyone."
The players all acknowledged.
While Bastia's players rested, multiple French media outlets reported on Bastia's away victory over Tottenham.
L'Équipe wrote: [De Rocca Shines at White Hart Lane! Teenage Genius Scores Twice to Seal Victory!]
"The 18-year-old superstar dominated the first half, one goal and one penalty dismantling the Premier League powerhouse's defense; though Tottenham had the advantage they couldn't break through, Bale salvaged face but couldn't stop Bastia's first-leg triumph.
Before the match, all eyes were on this 18-year-old winger valued at 60 million euros, hailed as future top-five in world football.
And Julien, in just 45 minutes, scored twice, proving to the world why he deserves such acclaim.
Admittedly, Tottenham Hotspur was no pushover. Throughout the match, they had clear advantages in possession and shots on goal.
Bale and Lennon created multiple threats on the wings, with dangerous chances in the center too.
However, whether missing opportunities in the first half or facing Bastia's solid defense in the second with Van Dijk leading an excellent backline and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez making heroic saves—Tottenham's finishing always lacked precision and luck.
Tonight belonged to Bastia, more so to Julien.
This 18-year-old genius, with a near-perfect half performance at White Hart Lane, this Premier League giant's temple, proved himself behind his 'world top-five valuation.'
Like lightning, he tore through Tottenham's defense while illuminating Bastia's path deeper into the Europa League.
However, Tottenham's strength shouldn't be underestimated—Bale's goal and second-half surge proved their pedigree.
One week later in the second leg, moving to Corsica, can Bastia withstand Tottenham's frenzied counter-assault with their home fans' support?
Can young Julien shine again, leading his team to make history..."
Alongside these media reports appeared another news story—
[Bastia Seeks League Postponement, Paris Refuses Extension]
It included Paris's explanation.
"We've noted Bastia's request and fully understand the fixture congestion challenges they currently face. Europa League competition intensity is indeed high, especially against a strong opponent like Tottenham, and they have an important second leg next midweek to prepare for.
However, after careful internal evaluation, we've ultimately decided we cannot agree to this postponement request.
This weekend's league match follows the established, long-published schedule.
We at Paris Saint-Germain just completed a very important Champions League match midweek ourselves. European competition fatigue affects us equally, but we'll prepare for and face every match according to the existing schedule.
Regarding fixtures, all teams should be treated equally. League postponement regulations have clear standards and procedures. Bastia's current fixture congestion doesn't exceed normal extreme cases.
Juggling Europa League and domestic league is a difficulty all European competition participants must overcome—we've experienced similar situations.
This falls within regular event planning and squad depth management.
The league is a long marathon; every team faces fixture congestion at some stage.
Responding to such challenges is precisely an important measure of a team's true strength, squad depth, and management capability.
Bastia, currently top of Ligue 1, has demonstrated strong competitiveness. We believe they have full capability and resources to handle such fixture arrangements.
Postponing matches would unnecessarily disrupt the league's overall competitive structure and fairness.
Every Ligue 1 match is crucial, affecting the entire league's competitive landscape. Postponement is no small matter—it disrupts not only our own preparation rhythm but also affects fans, broadcasters, and numerous stakeholders' arrangements."
Paris listed a host of reasons.
But Bastia fans weren't buying it. Though the schedule was indeed predetermined, fans don't care about such details—just curse them!
"They just played Valencia? Ha! That Champions League match was like a park stroll! Look at our death match with Tottenham! Julien was exhausted! Paris doesn't dare face us on equal footing!"
"7-point lead is keeping them up at night? Only resorting to such underhanded tactics to steal points?"
"Look how Julien dismantled Tottenham, look at our league table! They know if we're fully rested, we'd devour them alive. Refusing postponement? More like refusing defeat. Paris's arrogance hides cowardice!"
"Too vicious, and we're playing away!"
Paris fans (if there were any) naturally defended: "The schedule is fair for everyone,"
"It's not our fault your squad depth is poor," and similar comments.
Bastia fans fired back angrily: "Of course, you have a billion-euro bench! Shameless!"
There were various similar discussions, all rowdy and chaotic over social media.
That afternoon when Julien woke up and routinely checked the news, seeing all this, he was dumbfounded.
After a moment. Having digested everything, he had to admit—this was French football.
Not being a troll, not cursing people—what kind of French fan or Football Fan would that be?
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