In Rennes, the icy Roazhon Park has become boiling hot

• Long cold, Roazhon Park has become a warm stadium thanks to the mobilization of its growing supporters.

• The team's results obviously contributed to the attractiveness of the stadium, but the change of name of the Route de Lorient stadium and its seats played a role.

• This Thursday evening, Roazhon Park promises to be boiling hot for the "Rennesmontada" against Leicester.

It was a stadium that was often the subject of ridicule.

First because he was one of the few to bear the name of a rival club.

But also because its gray, blue and green seats didn't look like much.

Or because there was sometimes an almost disturbing silence there.

But that was before.

For the past few seasons, the so-called Lorient road stadium has become a respected lair of the French championship.

Its name change to Roazhon Park in 2015 contributed to this.

His makeover and the change of seats in the colors of the club too.

But it is above all the Stade Rennais supporters who have made this quiet place a stadium capable of being boiling, well helped by the club's convincing results.

This Thursday, the stands will be full (or almost) and promise to be noisy for the expected "Rennesmontada" against Leicester in the round of 16 second leg of the Europa League Conference.

A Thursday evening habit in Rennes.

“I felt the ground vibrate under my feet”

The first had been spoiled.

While celebrating the first qualification in its history in the Champions League, Stade Rennais had only been able to accommodate 5,000 people for the opening match against Krasnodar, before being plunged into a sordid closed session imposed by the health crisis.

At the time of finding its first European final phase since the feat achieved against Arsenal in 2019, Roazhon Park will be full, or almost full this Thursday for the reception of Leicester.

And we're willing to bet it will be very hot.

As was the case when Astana, Betis Sevilla or Arsenal came to 2019. "I felt the ground vibrate under my feet," admitted coach Julien Stéphan.

“I hadn't seen that!

It was huge.

The grandstand was vibrating, we had shivers, ”recalls Manon, 25,

Evening of the European Cup for Stade Rennais.

In a white-hot Roazhon Park to take players to a historic feat.

We believe in it 💪 #SRFCLCFC #ToutDonner #AllezRennes

— Romain Danzé (@Ladanze29) March 17, 2022

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However, the atmosphere has not always been so warm, on the road to Lorient.

The Rennes public, reputed to be demanding and spectators, has not always been inclined to get up from its gray (or blue, or green) seat.

“The public is in the image of Brittany.

He is faithful but not exuberant.

We are not the loudest, but we have always been there, even in difficult times, ”assumes Gaël, a Rennes supporter for more than forty years.

For this devotee, the 2015 renaming and seating replacement helped transform Roazhon Park.

“It's warmer.

Before, I found the atmosphere cold.

Now he looks good, it has become our garden”.

An example: the extraordinary tifos of the RCK.

“It makes us famous all over the world!

»

Speaker of the club since 2004, Alain Rousseau confirms.

“I think it's a sum of little things.

The color of the seats, the name but also the sound system or markers like bro gozh.

I think the Rennes public appreciates players who identify with the club.

We had Costil, Danzé, André.

Today, there is Bourigeaud, Laborde no doubt too”.

As for the atmosphere, the announcer particularly appreciates Thursday evenings, especially since a qualifying match against Astana.

“The poster wasn't crazy but everyone who was there remembers it.

It is this match that allows us to see Sevilla and Arsenal.

The emotions were strong whereas in the past, we were a little weaned from them”.

After the victory against the Gunners, Hatem Ben Arfa even dropped this:

“I didn't know that Rennes loved football so much.

The club just had to ignite for everyone to follow.

It gives us chills.

A story is being created throughout the city.”

If the public has returned, it is also and above all because the club has progressed in sporting terms.

You may have nice seats, if all the matches are rotten, you won't have anyone in your stadium, period.

The European campaign and victory in the Coupe de France in 2019 seemed to uninhibit the team and its supporters.

“This season, we are enjoying ourselves.

As a supporter, I live my most beautiful period, ”admits Gaël.

The warm European evenings helped attract more supporters.

A trendy activity

Younger, more feminine, the Rennes public has become warmer.

“With the good results, we want to be ecstatic even more, to push.

I have always been proud to support Stade Rennais even when it was difficult.

But this pride is growing,” says Manon.

In recent seasons, the young woman has seen something else change.

“Before, I never stood in line for the girls' bathroom.

It's all over."

In the city, Stade Rennais seems to have taken on a new dimension.

To the point that coming to Roazhon Park is becoming “fashionable”, believes Gaël.

“Around me, everyone is talking about it, even those who don't follow football.

People want spectacle, emotions”.

With a downside that is recurring in the mouths of supporters: the price of tickets, which has risen as sharply as the results of the club in recent seasons.

“I understand the economic reality of the club.

But you have to be careful not to cut yourself off from part of the audience.

Practices are no longer open to the public.

We should not cut ourselves off from the base, ”said Gaël.

A few hours before a crucial match for Stade Rennais, we will leave the final word to coach Bruno Genesio.

"I think that today, whether it's the players, the staff, the managers or the spectators, everyone enjoys coming to the stadium to see us play".

Pleasure that he intends to prolong.

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• Brittany

• Leicester

• Support

• Ultras

• Soccer

• Stadium

• Europa League Conference

• reindeer

• Sport

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