After their draw in the first leg against Juventus (1-1), Nantes receives the Italian team on Thursday for the return match of the Europa League dam. Fans expect a historic atmosphere and evening at the Beaujoire stadium.
“The weather is rainy in Nantes, but I hope that won’t prevent you from coming to support our Canaries tomorrow at La Beaujoire.“Upon arrival at Nantes station, the message from the SNCF controller betrays a form of excitement. The Nantes club is preparing to experience a historic moment, Thursday February 23, on the occasion of its return dam from the Europa League against Juventus Turin, at the Beaujoire stadium, after a first leg which ended in a draw (1-1).
“We gave ourselves the right to dream”, launched Antoine Kombouaré, the coach of Nantes, at a press conference on Wednesday, when the Canaries had not participated in a European Cup since the 2001-2002 season. To realize how much this match against Juventus is a gala event, you have to get closer to the club. The press gallery should reach a record fill rate on Thursday, while the FCN has invited fifteen alumni, including Didier Deschamps, Claude Makélélé and Jean-Claude Suaudeau.
“I think there will be fire on Thursday”, believes Gérald Chauvin, president of the Canaris Retz supporters group. He is part of the older generation of supporters, who enjoyed the titles of 1995 and 2001, and elimination in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1996 against Juventus. “I was a steward at La Beaujoire during the return match“, he recalls.
Passing the torch to younger generations
Thursday’s game against the Italian club, Gérald Chauvin sees it as an opportunity “to erase an injustice and take revenge” Twenty-six years later. The reception will have to be up to the task for Nantes to win, especially after the episode in Turin last week: the supporters of the Brigade Loire, the club’s Ultra group, n were unable to enter the Allianz Stadium during the first leg, due to the refusal of the local police.
Thierry Tissot, president of the largest group of supporters, Activ Nantes Supports (780 members), sees things differently. The one who knew the European exploits of Nantes in the 90s is on duty in a bar this Wednesday, to deliver the last places before the meeting. “In 1996, we came more to see the club’s results and we didn’t care about the atmosphere in the stadium. Things have changed and we come mainly to party, share moments with friends and enjoy the show in the stands.“, he assures.
The Canaris supporter, who has managed his group since 2019, is the father of two children, Émilie and Amaury, who accompany him on his volunteer mission, and whom he has showered with Nantes exploits from an early age. This match against Juventus is also an opportunity for the younger generations to experience in turn a major European meeting at La Beaujoire. “My father told me about these moments for a long time and I always dreamed of experiencing the same thingassures Emilie, smiling. Now I understand better.”
“Game of the Year”
No question, therefore, of missing what will be “game of the year”, according to Glen Russeau. The 20-year-old supporter has been a subscriber since this season in the Loire stand, where the Loire Brigade sets the mood: “I expect a big party. There is a lot of enthusiasm, the whole city is behind the club“Fans polled are unanimous: this Europa League match against Juventus is more anticipated than the 1996 Champions League semi-final.”At the time, there was little hope of qualifying before the second leg. There is a real possibility“, explains Anthony Marsais, a fan of Nantes who recently produced a video by compiling the extracts of the Canary supporters who moved to Turin.
He expects “one of the most beautiful atmospheres in the history of Beaujoire“, but don’t forget to put it into perspective with a smile: “We almost tend to forget that it’s only a play-off, but we can’t help it. We were so frustrated for twenty years.“Despite the recent successes of the club, the victory in the Coupe de France and this run in the Europa League, the”schizophrenia of the Nantes fan“is never far away.
Don’t spoil the party with pyrotechnic devices
“We are happy that the club won, but we are still waiting for changes in the management“, explains Glen Russeau. Waldemar Kita, owner of the club since 2007, is still contested by Nantes supporters despite recent results. Not enough to spoil the party on Thursday at La Beaujoire, on the contrary of an overuse of pyrotechnic devices, such as in the group stage against Olympiacos and Karabagh.
“It has to be the fire in the stadium but in a figurative sense. (…) We have to make noise but without penalizing ourselves, in case we qualify”, warned Antoine Kombouaré, while Nantes could undergo a closed session in the event of a new incident. Finding the middle ground will be the goal for the supporters,”who can make a difference with their support and enthusiasm“, assured Wednesday Alban Lafont, the Nantes goalkeeper and captain.
Difficult to say if the supporters will manage to contain themselves in the event of a goal or qualification, against a Juventus team determined to avenge the affront of the first leg. “If players are able to repeat this feat, we can go down in legend. It would be something huge“, launched Kombouaré on Wednesday. One thing is certain: the Canaries supporters will be there at Beaujoire.
