Attending a LOSC Champions League match in Lille

As much as I’ve attended football matches on three different continents, I had never yet had the opportunity to attend a Champions League match.

Our arrival in Lille is going to be the occasion, because LOSC has qualified for the round of 16 of the competition and I can get tickets through my works council. There are advantages to becoming an employee again!

I even managed to get two tickets, which allows me to offer our Lille friend A. to come along.

Although Lille is not the favorite against the German club Borussia Dortmund, they got an excellent draw (1-1) in the first leg in Germany. So the suspense is complete and the atmosphere promises to be heated for the return match!

The Stade Pierre Mauroy, an astonishing modular complex (the roof is mobile and stands are retractable, allowing it to host tennis, basketball, handball competitions, etc.) is easily accessible from the city center: 10 minutes by metro and about 10 minutes on foot.

By chance, I arrive at the exact same time as the Lille players’ bus, they are welcomed by the cheers of the supporters with red smoke bombs.

I don’t know exactly what the mobility options are, but my company must have a certain number of reserved seats since I have the nice surprise of seeing familiar faces from colleagues.

The players’ entrance is an opportunity, for me, to hear for the first time live the famous anthem of the competition, it gives you goosebumps!

The match starts and Lille will very quickly open the scoring on a major error by the opposing goalkeeper. There will follow 10 minutes of euphoria during which the Germans will not get their heads above water. The rest of the first half is in favor of the Germans and it will take several miracles to maintain the lead.

At halftime, Lille is virtually qualified, and we start dreaming: the potential quarterfinal would be played against FC Barcelona!

Unfortunately, the second half will be one-way, the Germans will turn it all around by scoring two goals in 10 minutes and Lille will never give the impression of being able to come back. This will have a negative effect on the atmosphere, the crowd having clearly understood that the chance had passed.

Despite the defeat, I am very happy with the experience. Next goal: attend a match in Lens, I can also get tickets with my works council!

Match summary