• 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 the title and Sang et Or (5th) in the running for a qualification in the Europa League, the stake has never been so important in a derby of the North.

A procession by car for fans of Losc, on foot for those of RC Lens

Problem, with the health context, the first derby at Bollaert since 2010 will 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 each being 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 Pierre-Mauroy stadium ".

In Lens, fervor will also be required.

This Thursday afternoon, several hundred fans met in front of the Gaillette training center to encourage the players before the derby.

And on 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 a heartbreak 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 Deule would be on the cards. “There will be things. We're talking about a title anyway, ”says Julien.

As for RC Lens, we are impatiently awaiting the end of health 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.

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