Opa Nguette in the fight (physical and verbal) with Kenny Lala.
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JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP / Montage Paint
RC Strasbourg (18th) welcomes FC Metz this Sunday at La Meinau, on the occasion of the 14th day of Ligue 1.
This match will have a special flavor: it is the Grand-Est derby.
Are the two clubs so different?
Not that much to believe in particular the former striker David Zitelli, passed by the teams.
“Don't compare us to FC Metz!
Usually so measured, the president of RC Strasbourg, Marc Keller, had jumped last year.
No question of equating the next expansion of the Meinau stadium to that, in progress, of Saint-Symphorien.
Just over 160 kilometers apart, the two clubs perpetuate a certain antagonism.
"It's the derby of the Grand-Est, but the rivalry is much less strong than with Nancy", nuances the president of the group of fans of Lorraine Generation Garnet, Xavier Schmitt, by tracing the first tensions "to the 80s, when the Strasbourg kop was twinned with the people of Nancy and we with Mulhouse.
“Since then, conflicts have existed between supporters but do not lead to physical excesses.
"Mainly verbal but I do not remember serious excesses", supports Philippe Wolff, the president of the Federation of supporters of the RCS.
“Before the war, our direct opponent was more Sochaux.
But FC Metz won because they stayed in Ligue 1, we clashed a lot and there were a lot of transfers between us (Mamadou Niang in particular).
It's a rivalry between two historic elite teams.
"
" We look a lot alike "
And two clubs that are so different?
"For me, no", replies the former striker David Zitelli, who frequented the two houses in the mid-90s. "They are on a human scale with a warm audience, certainly more numerous in Strasbourg because the city is bigger" .
“Both are run by local people, Marc Keller in Alsace and Bernard Serin in Moselle, who rely on local sponsors,” adds Xavier Schmitt.
And the two have a very strong identity.
In this sense, we are very similar.
"
As in terms of budgets, which are around 50 million euros this season.
While Racing has long been richer than its neighbor, which has sometimes led to excesses of all kinds.
"Us, as soon as things were going very well, we quickly ignited and vice versa," resumes Philippe Wolff.
A few years ago, Thierry Laurey would not have kept his coaching position given the results.
We have become more patient since relegation to CFA 2 (in 2011).
Historically, we were the turbulent student and FC Metz the wiser student.
It can also be seen at the level of the charts where we have climbed higher.
"
The trophy cabinet is much more stocked on the Alsatian side, with six national cups (against 3) and above all a title of champion of France (1979).
Where the Garnets missed the coronation in 1998 for a story of goal difference ... "When you think of them, you immediately remember that", teases the president of the Federation of RCS supporters admitting "a real respect ”for the Lorraine neighbor.
Which makes up for it on another table: infrastructure.
"We now have a magnificent training center," confirms Xavier Schmitt.
Since last spring, Frédéric Antonetti's players have been practicing in this completely transformed former air base with, in particular, a field ... under a former aircraft hangar.
🚧 In Frescaty, the installation of indoor synthetic turf is continuing.
pic.twitter.com/ISTYkmUQfO
- FC Metz ☨ (@FCMetz) November 13, 2019
Further east, Racing has just completed its training grounds next to an aging Meinau whose facelift should not begin before May 2022. The renovation of Saint-Symphorien should then be completed.
"When the stadium will be completely closed, we will have something that will look good," continues the president of Génération Grenat.
“Our songs will finally pass the midfield!
"
In Strasbourg, the atmosphere is already hailed as one of the most beautiful in Ligue 1. "It is extraordinary", summarizes David Zitelli, who will have his heart shared on Sunday.
“I have very good memories in both clubs.
May the best win !
"
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They may be three this Sunday on the lawn of Meinau to have worn the jerseys of both teams.
On the Messin side, Alexandre Oukidja will return to a stadium where he has achieved some exploits and will face his former partner Habib Diallo, who arrived in Alsace this summer.
Another former garnet, Eiji Kawashima should start again with Racing.
The Japanese goalkeeper has fond memories of his time in Lorraine (2016-2018).
"I felt good in Metz and I feel good here too", he explains, speaking of two "family" clubs but "with differences".
“Metz was a quieter city but I prefer life here”, adds the 37-year-old veteran who has left very good memories in Moselle thanks to his professionalism.
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