We have known more galactic gala (and title?) matches. It is seven o’clock on rue Saint-Léonard in Angers. The bays of the Raymond-Kopa stadium are filling up as planned, the cash drawers of the chip huts too. This is only the second time this season that the stadium is full, after the reception, already during the week, of Olympique de Marseille.
Only, this Wednesday evening, it was not Payet or Guendouzi but the PSG armada which attracted part of the SCO public. Problem: of the Messi-Neymar-Mbappé triplet who, apart from the small performance on Sunday during the clasico, was finally beginning to reign over Ligue 1, only the French striker remains. The Argentinian “Chip” rests his left Achilles heel (inflammation) while Neymar is suspended. But that’s not all: two other stars are also missing in Anjou, Marco Verratti (left knee) and Presnel Kimpembe (right knee).
Paolo, Messi flocked jersey on the back, stamps. And it’s not the packages mentioned above that will dampen the enthusiasm of this 10-year-old Tourangeau. “Me, it’s Mbappé”, says this lover of PSG but also a bit of Marseille, confides to us his father who won two places the day before via a draw organized on social networks. His son is hoping for a “2-0 victory”. Two goals from you know who. A little further also, there is only for the prodigy of Bondy. Noan, 15, is not a great sportswoman but follows the careers of big stars. “She’s been talking to me about this game since Christmas, it was on the list. And I can tell you that she is not kidding about it. She wants a big show,” laughs her mother, who came for the occasion with a friend and colleague from Saumur, 60 km from here.
“3-3 wouldn’t be bad, wouldn’t it? »
Among the spectators interviewed, who paid an average of 50 euros each, many are coming here for the first time, or almost. A public that wants a great show, a good match, regardless of the result? Not for Philippe, 56. “We came to see stars but we are not against a good score for the SCO (…) 3-3, that wouldn’t be bad, wouldn’t it? he says to his 11-year-old son Jolan. Three goals from Mbappé for the little one, and a precious point for the father. The SCO have yet to secure their place in the top flight next season. So snatching a draw, the first since December 2015 against the Parisians, would be a real feat. Of those capable of making memories for a long time.
Herve nods. A long-time subscriber, he is happy to see eight Champions Leagues accumulated on the Angevin lawn, with the tenures of Sergio Ramos, Keylor Navas and Di Maria. Only, he is not there to attend a coronation of champion of France, but to an exploit.