When LOSC played the Champions League at the Stade de France
In 2005, while residing at the Villeneuve-d'Ascq Stadium, LOSC took up residence at the Stade de France for its C1 matches, the time of a legendary victory against Manchester United (1-0, goal by Milenko Ačimovič) and two goalless draws against Villarreal and Benfica (0-0). Lille supporters recount this funny experience, which Stade Brestois could also experience in a few weeks.
→ Corentin, president of the Dogues du Vieux-Lille, 17 years old at the time: “The pride of representing Lille”
We need to put things in context. Today, with the stadium we have, we prefer to play at home rather than at the Stade de France. At the time, we weren't in our stadium at all. It was being built, there were problems left and right.
(The “Grimonprez-Jooris II” stadium will ultimately never see the light of day, Editor’s note.)
It was still exceptional for us to go to the Stade de France, it was a chance. It doesn't happen every day for a club. It was a discovery with stars in our eyes, we were there as tourists, it was really extremely family-friendly. It is obviously always easier to play at home, in front of your supporters; there, in fact, it is the two teams which move away. The atmosphere is completely different, it's more of a traveling atmosphere. There was the pride of representing Lille, it was the reward for having followed LOSC blindly for more than ten years, because we had a shit team for a very long time.
It is extremely complicated, in terms of organization, to be able to coordinate a stand at the Stade de France.…
Comments collected by Jérémie Baron for SOFOOT.com
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