Social networks, the ultimate solution to this “depressing” OL-ASSE derby?

For the first time in its history, the regional rivalry between Lyonnais and Stéphanois will be disputed without the slightest supporter, Sunday (9 p.m.) at Parc OL

Football: OL-ASSE, the hottest derby in France -

20 Minutes

The 121st derby in history between OL and ASSE will take place on Sunday (9 p.m.), in a closed session linked to Covid-19, promising to be heavier than ever for such a shock.
In this context so "depressing", the supporters of both camps find it difficult to project themselves on what has always been for them "the game of the year".
In view of the imposed confinement, will the Lyonnais and Stéphanois retreat in numbers on social networks to try to vibrate (a little) or even chamber the opponent by Sunday evening?

If the Lyonnais had to retain only one image of the four months spent by Sylvinho at the head of OL in 2019, it would be this one.

At the end of the last pre-derby training, the Brazilian coach appears suddenly excited, surrounded by smoke and 2,000 supporters who came to Décines, to clap their hands everywhere.

Sacked two days later after a sad defeat (1-0) in the Cauldron, Sylvinho was still able to closely touch the madness that still surrounds this clash between Lyonnais and Stéphanois.

Finally that was in the world before: only the staffs and about forty journalists will be able to attend Sunday (9 p.m.) at the 121st derby in history, certainly the saddest with its unprecedented camera imposed by the health crisis. of Covid-19.

The traditional last screening of ultras on the OL side and the departure by coach of the ASSE players in a furious madness, on Sunday near L'Etrat (Loire), will not be on the menu this week either.

The Magic Fans just deployed a banner at the Greens' training center on Thursday: “No room for error, respect our colors!

"There is always a small flame burning"

"Last month, the Lensois had a small consolation prize by accompanying the departure by coach of their players to Lille," notes Jean-Pierre, a fervent Lyon fan.

We hoped we could at least have a little fun by regrouping on roads or bridges to crack torches before the match, but even that, we have to give it up.

“No group of OL supporters should brave confinement on Sunday for this special meeting.

How, in this context, the enthusiasts of OL and ASSE will they succeed in vibrating for their usual “match of the year”?

One of the tifos unveiled by Lyon supporters, during the last derby, played last March in an OL Park then crowded.

- JEFF PACHOUD / AFP

“This fervor of the derby loses its charm but it never disappears, believes Jean-Pierre, who will miss the meeting against the Greens in the north turn for the first time in 20 years.

There is always a small flame burning, and there will surely be a few underground evenings of supporters living in the same area.

"If there is one occasion where I will be ready to defy the prohibition, it will be this one," continues Richard of the south turn.

It's way too depressing to watch this game on your own.

"50% of a derby is valid for the show in the stands"

In the camp opposite, Sylvain (38 years old) is hardly more enthusiastic with the approach of this derby at the Parc OL: “The previous seasons, I already felt that the fervor fell a little on my side with all these travel bans.

There, I clearly do not have the impression that we are in a derby week.

We could have an evening via Skype or Zoom with friends watching the game individually.

But we haven't discussed it yet, simply because that's not how we want to experience the derby.

Without a molten Cauldron, would Robert Beric have crucified Sylvinho's OL (1-0) a year ago?

Nothing is less certain and the memory of such an atmosphere inevitably stings when you know what awaits you on Sunday.

“It's paradoxical because professional football is the only hobby that we currently have, and yet this season seems a little bland, observes Vincent, a regular at Parc OL.

Obviously I'm going to stress out on Sunday, but we always look at a derby at 50% for the match and 50% for the show in the stands.

ASSE-OL: Prohibition of opposing supporters, "sanitized" pre-match ... Is the soul of the derby in danger?

https://t.co/Fn24a2Vwm8 via @ 20minutesSport pic.twitter.com/0fjaJfKeVx

- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) January 18, 2019

OM, the real digital rival of Lyon

Failing to be able to set the mood in the south turn, the Lyon 1950s must in particular be content to share their greatest derby memories on their Facebook account throughout the week.

Finally, faced with this observation imposed by the coronavirus, aren't social networks the only refuge to try to save the unifying dimension of the derby?

A 21-year-old supporter of ASSE, Faustine is not convinced: “Indeed, it remains Twitter, it's good but it does not increase the pressure like a kop.

There, it's not a derby ”.

Vincent, who is preparing to encourage OL, alone at home, can not imagine sending virtual salvos everywhere on Sunday evening.

“On social networks, we stick a lot more with large Marseille accounts, which are either funny, or above all provocative and unbearable, than with Stéphanois.

With the followers of OM, the FC Proxy is at its peak.

I will still take a look at Twitter at half-time and after the game.

The Lyonnais continues with the meaning of the formula.

Social media will be our third half, with likes and retweets replacing friends and beers.

Quite a program, isn't it, this confined derby?

In view of the scary ongoing series of five consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, the supporters of the Greens are not surprisingly even less connected by the option of

trash-talking

between twittos.

"I must admit that I am not really optimistic so I risk not putting my nose on the networks all evening," recognizes Sylvain.

"We hate the Stéphanois but we want to see them at the stadium"

Even if he is very active on the networks, the Stéphanois Eric has experience at the height of his 55 years: “When the derby approaches, I do not really want to sleep because I fear too much the backwash.

Ultimately, if the match is a disaster, I'll start tweeting to bring down the disappointment ”.

Some fans like Jean-Pierre have a much sharper opinion on the subject: “Social networks are absolutely sad.

A supporter only fully lives his passion in real life, with his friends at the stadium or at the bar.

And even if we hate the Stéphanois, we want to see them at the stadium, which is increasingly rare ”.

Saint-Etienne supporters took part in their last derby in Lyon in April 2013. - CYRIL VILLEMAIN / 20 MINUTES / SIPA

"Between Lyon and Sainté, it's 100% concrete"

And this long before the Covid-19, because due to travel restrictions / bans, ASSE supporters have never approached the Parc OL.

The last trace of Saint-Etienne parking dates back to 2013 in Gerland.

However, the regional rivalry has never been carried over to the Internet, according to Faustine: “There are very few virtual clashes between the two camps.

The Saint-Etienne community is discreet on the networks, with fewer influential accounts than OL, PSG or OM side.

There is rather

live

rooming

between colleagues in the region but since many people are currently teleworking, this tradition is also disappearing ”.

Our dossier on Ligue 1

Vincent sums up the animosity of these two neighbors who are almost entirely opposed: “Between Lyon and Sainté, it's 100% concrete and not digital.

We all have in our family someone who supports the camp opposite.

And who will chomp on the sofa like the whole region on Sunday.

Sport

OL: Why does the Algerian “warrior” Djamel Benlamri have his luck so late in Europe?