Everyone pondered this separately.
Indeed, returning to the Europa League stage after 34 years, and at home no less—if they didn't do something special, it would be inexcusable.
Bertrand suddenly said, "I think we could find inspiration from the documentary Forza Bastia—create a dialogue spanning 34 years."
Modoso gave Bertrand a thumbs up.
Forza Bastia means "Forward, Bastia."
This was a documentary filmed by Jacques Tati.
Anyone familiar with French cinema knows what a figure Jacques Tati was: a top French comedy director and screenwriter.
Like Chaplin, he wrote, directed, and starred in his own works. He was a predecessor of Mr. Bean-style comedy, making full use of physical language and elevating pantomime to entirely new heights.
His works included Playtime and Monsieur Hulot's Holiday.
This documentary came about in 1978, after Bastia reached the UEFA Cup final for the first time in club history. The Bastia president Gilbert Trigano mentioned this to his friend, film director Jacques Tati, and suggested making a documentary to commemorate the occasion.
Tati had always loved sports and readily accepted the suggestion, organizing the filming of the match and celebrations.
However, due to heavy rain and various unexpected incidents during the event itself, this grand occasion ultimately devolved into chaos.
The film was never completed, and the footage was quickly forgotten.
Around 1999, this material was accidentally rediscovered in a corner of the Corsican Regional Film Archives.
Jacques Tati's daughter, Sophie Tati who herself was an editor and director immediately decided to take on the editing.
The final 26-minute piece was broadcast on French television in 2000 and 2002.
As an aside, Jacques Tati died of illness in 1982, four years after Bastia's Europa League final.
Modoso recalled this documentary.
For Bastia fans, this film was a vital watch.
He suddenly slapped the table. "I've got it! Papi—a legacy between two generations of captains!"
The others wanted to ask about his specific ideas. But he laughed heartily. "Let me go home and think it through properly, I'll tell you later!"
With that, he ran straight out of the tavern.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
However, Modoso had mentioned Papi's name: the greatest name in Bastia's history before Julien.
He spent his entire career at Bastia (1968-1982), playing as midfielder or striker.
His performance was crucial in reaching the 1978 UEFA Cup final.
He was called the "Corsican Lion" for his loyalty to Bastia.
Tragically, Papi died in a car accident in 1983.
The club named the stadium's south stand after him, and fans still honor him in song.
Therefore, in one of the versions of "Julien's Song," Bastia fans praised Julien with the line "You're as fearless as Papi on the mountaintop."
At the Bastia training ground.
The day after matches, players typically focused mainly on rest.
Julien only did light warm-up training.
Today's main activity was learning English with Fabregas.
As a Frenchman, learning English was relatively easier.
English and French shared approximately 30% vocabulary through common origins or borrowings.
After becoming accustomed to French's rigorous grammatical system, learning English felt much simpler.
The only challenges to overcome were pronunciation habits and differences in grammatical details.
Seeing Julien frequently making time to study English, De Bruyne couldn't help asking, "You're planning to play in England?"
Julien smiled without confirming or denying, instead answered, "I'm just learning more languages—once I master English, I'll study Spanish and Italian."
De Bruyne shook his head. "So, I'm wondering, are you planning to become the Zebra Prince or the Bernabéu's King?"
De Bruyne's words weren't groundless.
News of Juventus and Real Madrid wanting to sign Julien wasn't new.
Julien replied, "Don't worry, when I truly decide, I'll tell you. Right now, I have only one goal: lead Bastia to greater heights!"
Julien's words were briefly validated that evening when the seventh round of Ligue 1 matches concluded.
Lyon lost, falling 0-2 at home to Bordeaux.
Marseille lost, falling 1-4 away to Valenciennes.
After seven rounds, Bastia secured their position in 2nd place.
October's climate in Bastia was quite pleasant.
On the afternoon of the 3rd.
Hadzibegic held a pre-match press conference for the Europa League.
"As our first European home match in over thirty years, we will give our absolute all and not disappoint any Bastia fans, whether in attendance or watching from afar!"
He certainly wasn't speaking carelessly.
One hour before the next day's match, the starting eleven was announced—Bastia's strongest current lineup:
4-2-3-1 formation:
Lukaku
Mané, De Bruyne, De Rocca, Kanté, Rothen
Sidibé, Cahuzac, Choplin, Angoula, Novaes
The visiting team was Hapoel Tel Aviv, or rather, Tel Aviv Workers.
"Hapoel" is the transliteration of the Hebrew word for "workers."
This Israeli team could be considered a domestic powerhouse.
They were Israel's second most successful club. The most successful was naturally Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Like Hapoel, Maccabi was also a transliteration from Hebrew, though Maccabi was a name, the nickname of the Jewish hero Judah Maccabee.
There were many "Maccabi" teams worldwide: Maccabi Antwerp, Maccabi Berlin, Maccabi London in Europe; Maccabi Moscow in Russia; Maccabi Los Angeles in the United States.
These clubs were all founded on the premise of Jewish nationalism.
They all belonged to Maccabi World Union, an international Jewish sports organization.
In 1960, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized Maccabi World Union.
At 6 PM.
The area around Cesari Stadium had already been cordoned off by police, with only fans allowed to walk to the stadium.
Along the way, Bastia's support songs rose one after another.
Unsurprisingly, Hapoel Tel Aviv's team bus was once again blocked by Bastia fans. They pounded on the vehicle.
Fortunately, these players had seen it all before, after all, in the Israeli Premier League, the derby between Hapoel and Maccabi was so explosive that casualties frequently occurred.
At 7:50 PM.
Cesari Stadium, with its temporary stands bringing capacity to 23,000, was completely sold out.
Everyone was shouting "Bastia!" with all their might.
The players emerged.
The atmosphere reached fever pitch, especially in the north stand, where Modoso led the ultras in wild singing.
After the players lined up and shook hands, and the Europa League anthem finished playing.
The stadium's big screen suddenly showed a face familiar to countless Bastia fans—
Claude Papi.
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