RC Lens supporters put up posters in the streets of Lille – F. Launay / 20 Minutes
- The 112th of the North derby will have a big sporting stake on Friday between Lens which plays Europe and Lille which plays the title.
- A match which supporters of both clubs will not be able to attend due to the health situation.
- Suddenly, each camp competes in imagination to encourage its players.
They bloomed on Sunday morning in the streets of Vieux-Lille. Posters stuck to the wall on which we can see the caricature of three players from Lens (Leca, Clauss and Kakuta) and a slogan “Explode them”. First to draw, the Lensois supporters launched by chambering the 112th North derby against Losc which takes place this Friday (9 p.m.) at the Bollaert stadium. To the delight of the players concerned like
Gaël Kakuta.
“It’s beautiful, it’s nice, even if we changed my tattoos a bit (smile). I don’t have a skull on me. These are messages that motivate, ”admits the RC Lens striker. It must be said that the context is very particular three days from the end. Between a Losc, leader of Ligue 1, who plays for the title and Sang et Or (5th) in contention for a qualification in the Europa League, the stake has never been so important in a derby of the North. “There have already been decisive derbies for relegation but never for the title so close to the end of the season. It is clearly historical ”, confirms Olivier Brochard, co-author of the book. Stories of the Lens-Lille derbies
Kakuta room, Yilmaz don’t like
A stake such that it also galvanizes the players of the two teams determined to stay in bed before an ultra important match. First to open the ball, the Lensois Gaël Kakuta did not hide Thursday that he would like the PSG to be crowned champion of France in place of the regional rival, current leader of Ligue 1. “If we can deprive Lille of the title, it would be beautiful” thus dropped the RC Lens forward.
A media release that did not please Burak Yilmaz. The Lille striker did not mince words with his opponent. “I know the player well. He’s a very good, experienced player. Compared to respect, he should have kept that to himself. In addition, last week, they played against Paris and they lost, ”noted Kral.
A procession by car for fans of Losc, on foot for those of RC Lens
Launched on the field, the derby will unfortunately not take place in the stands because of the health context. The first Lens-Lille at Bollaert since 2010 will therefore be played behind closed doors. “It sucks,” Kakuta regrets. So, just to participate in the party anyway, fans from both camps compete in their imagination to make people forget their absence from the stadium.
In Lille, several hundred fans will drive part of the journey between Lille and Lens on Friday, following the players’ bus from the Luchin area, where banners of encouragement have been blooming in recent days. “We decided to offer this procession to accompany the bus as far as possible. It helps to push the players and respect the health rules by being each in their car. We want the players to feel that we are behind them, ”explains Julien, administrator of the Facebook page “Red seats for the Grand Stade”
In Lens, fervor will also be required. Thursday afternoon, several hundred fans met in front of the Gaillette training center to encourage the players before the derby. And Friday, just before the match, a large gathering is announced in front of the players’ hotel to accompany the bus for the 600 meters that separate the hotel from the stadium. “There will be many, many people. It ignites a lot. There is a very strong enthusiasm ”, announces Norman Noisette, president of the Lens United federation which brings together many groups of Lensois supporters.
The frustration of not being at the stadium to experience this
Provided that the prefecture authorizes these gatherings, the party will therefore be on Friday on the side of the supporters of the two clubs. Even if this kind of action will not make you forget the frustration of a season spent on the sofa. “It’s heartbreaking especially when you see the sporting issue. It’s been ten years since we had a derby at Bollaert. Paris and Marseille do not make me dream, but Lille makes me vibrate. If we can prevent them from being champions, I want us to finish 7th without a European Cup. And then we have the affront of going to wash (4-0). I’ve been in a trance for a week, ”laughs Norman Noisette.
At Losc, we hope to win the derby to get closer to a title that the supporters hope to be able to celebrate as it should. In the event of a coronation, the idea of a barge parade on the Deûle would be on the cards. “There will be things. We’re talking about a title anyway, ”says Julien.
On the RC Lens side, we are impatiently awaiting the end of the sanitary restrictions to make up for the time lost for a year. “We will have to come the day of the first match at Bollaert at full capacity. We have last year’s rise to Ligue 1 to celebrate, this season to celebrate, the (possible) European Cup qualification to celebrate. We haven’t done anything for a year. There is no one in the stadium even though we have had the best season for twenty years. It’s annoying, ”admits the president of Lens United. No need to say that a victory in the derby would be better off the pill of this season so special.