Tonight, the atmosphere will be electric in Fontvieille for the semi-final of the League Cup. Before passion takes over, we met with Manu and Cyril, members of Ultras Monaco, as well as Kevin, a member of the Brigade Sud Nice, and Jeremy, a loyal member of the “Collectif Embriagoun”. Atmosphere.
Do you consider this meeting the most important of the season?
Kevin (BSN): Yes, without a doubt. This match is a final before the final. It can change a lot of things for the rest of our season.
Jeremy (CE): A derby in the semi-final is certainly better than any final…
Cyril (UM): No, because for me the UEFA Cup is more important. The championship as well, where we haven’t had our last word yet.
Manu (UM): No, I also think that the UEFA and the championship are more important. This League Cup is just a bonus. The Nice-Monaco league match next week is more important in my eyes.
What does Stade de France evoke for you?
Kevin: I’ve never been there. So it can only evoke an upcoming final that I’m eager for…
Jeremy: Immediately, I think of the images from the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil. A magical place, undoubtedly.
Cyril: I didn’t experience my club’s last finals (Editor’s note: In 2001, defeat against Lyon, and 2003, victory against Sochaux). I obviously want to experience that…
Manu: The victory against Sochaux and the celebrations that followed…
Your opinion on your team’s transfer market?
Kevin: It’s been quite calm. I’m happy with the arrival of Bellion who contributed to OGCN’s qualification to the semi.
Jeremy: Bellion is a good recruit, even though I was skeptical at first, since he was a substitute at Manchester. But his debut reassured me.
Cyril: The recruitment is more than correct, but it’s the upcoming results on which I’ll form my opinion.
Manu: It has been very good. We have “fired” players who had no business at ASM, like Sorlin or Maoulida, and we have recruited experienced but older players, like my idol, Christian “Bobo” Vieri.
What does the ASM-OGCN meeting evoke for you?
Kevin: The 3-4 will be engraved in my memory forever…
Jeremy: A heated derby, where we must not lose. The most important match of the season.
Cyril: We have been waiting for a victory against the neighboring Niçois at Louis II for a long time… Hopefully, this will be the time.
Manu: Immediately, the derby from about ten years ago comes to mind, when the Niçois were only a few dozen at Louis II. Times have changed. Now, I feel like this match represents a European Cup final for the red and black people, while we are well aware that it’s just a semifinal of the League Cup…
Your view on the opposing supporters? And on the team?
Kevin: I respect the Monegasque supporters, they are not many but deserve respect. The team, with the famous Italian recruitment, seems really not bad.
Jeremy: Thanks to the Ultras Monaco, my view of the Principality has changed. They manage to animate the terraces in a really particular context. As for the team, I would simply say that ASM is advantaged due to the tax exemptions, so recruitment is easier for them.
Cyril: Le Ray is one of the big atmospheres of Ligue 1, that is to be respected. The team does not seem to me to be up to its public. The semifinal will demonstrate…
Manu: I respect the Niçois mentality a lot. But lately, it seems to me that BSN is losing its local identity. Now, the Niçois public remains one of the hottest in France. The team? Without wanting to be mean, there’s not much to say…
Which player would you like to see play in your colors?
Kevin: Paolo Di Canio, for the close contacts this player maintains with his supporters.
Jeremy: Thierry Henry. I dream, but he would be the ideal scorer.
Cyril: I have full confidence in the current team…
Manu: My dream would be to see a player like Lucarelli wear the colors of ASM. As a supporter and Ultra, this player represents the ideal, seeing what he has accomplished for the supporters of Livorno (Editor’s note: Creation of an Ultra group strongly marked to the left, loyalty to his club at all costs, …)
A little prediction?
Kevin: 3-4 (joking, joking…)
Jeremy: 1-2 (Vieri, Traoré, Bellion)
Cyril: 6-0 or 7-0… and see you in the final
Manu: Me ne frega (“I don’t care”, in Monégasque). As long as we go to the final…
The final word?
Kevin: M’en bati sieu nissart
Jeremy: May the best win. Nissart per toujou!
Cyril: This match would have still made a beautiful final…
Manu: Freeze well on your scooters!!!
Nicolas Pelazza
