“I have a tattoo with the Monaco-Real score”
To celebrate the systematic presence of many Monegasque supporters in outdoor parks, asmonaco.com is continuing its series dedicated to supporters of the Red and Whites. For this 18th episode of the season, head to Savoie to meet Emmanuelle, who lived for ten years in Saint-Etienne.
She grew up in Savoie and currently lives there, but for ten years, Emmanuelle lived in Saint-Etienne. Already “stung” by the round ball, his passion is obviously not weakened by living in the stronghold of the Greens. But it was always the red and white colors that she preferred and for which she vibrated the most. Before the match between ASSE and AS Monaco, this Saturday at Geoffroy-Guichard (7 p.m.), meet this fan who literally has the Club de la Principality under his skin.
During the whole car trip, with each news flash on the radio they spoke of “mission impossible for Monaco against Real” and somewhere we were excited to tell us that it was not something achievable. So when it finally came true, it was just… wow!
Supporter of AS Monaco
Hi Emmanuelle. How did you become an AS Monaco supporter living in Savoie and then in Saint-Etienne?
It all started in 1998. I was a teenager and I wanted to meet players from the France team like Fabien Barthez, David Trezeguet or Thierry Henry. And in college, in my class there was a boy from Monaco with whom I had stayed in contact, so in 1998 I went to spend a few days at his house to see my idols. I succeeded and I had a photo with Thierry Henry, at La Turbie. We were in the parking lot with all the players, it was really nice.
In a region that vibrates for the Greens, how is it going to support the Red and White?
It is rather well seen, even if here on the close relations of Saint-Etienne and Lyon. When I was younger, OL were not yet a big club and people of my generation were more for Marseille, so the rivalry was no longer there. With the Stéphanois things have always gone well and, each time I’ve been to Geoffroy-Guichard, I’ve never had any problems.
So, were you able to support the Red and Whites at Geoffroy-Guichard or even in Lyon?
Yes, these are the two stadiums that I indicated the most since they are the closest to my home geographically. For a short time, there was also Grenoble and even Evian-Thonon-Gaillard, who played in Annecy. As soon as it was possible, I tried to go as much as possible in these stadiums.
In fact, this Monaco-Real is such a good memory that I have a tattoo with the score of the match! It’s inspired by the one Leandro Cufré had on his arms, which determined the shape a bit, and inside a “3-1” which is written in reference to this meeting.
On his fondest memory
Despite the distance, have you ever been able to come to the Stade Louis-II?
A few years ago, yes, I came often because I was part of the Savoie branch of the Monaco Supporters’ Club. Between 2004 and 2008, I therefore traveled quite a lot to come to the Louis-II, and then professionally it became more complicated. There, it’s been a while since I came and I miss it a little.
What is your best memory in a stadium?
Without hesitation, the Monaco-Real Madrid of 2004 at the Stade Louis-II! It really is a very beautiful memory. I had made this trip with the CSM and I remember that during the whole car trip, with each news flash on the radio they spoke of “mission impossible for Monaco against Real” and somewhere that had conditioned us to say that was not something that could be done. So when it finally came true, it was just… wow!
Do you have an anecdote related to the Club?
In fact, this Monaco-Real is such a good memory that I have a tattoo with the score of the match! It’s inspired by the one Leandro Cufré had on his arms, which determined the shape a bit, and inside a “3-1” which is written in reference to this meeting.
I also got shorts and… a tie from Andreas Zikos. At the end of the season, he had emptied his locker in the locker room and on leaving La Turbie he had opened his trunk, so it was open bar (laughs)!
Supporter of AS Monaco
Who is your favorite player in the history of AS Monaco?
The player I really liked, both for his game, his attachment to the Club and his personality, is Gaël Givet. In addition, he is of my generation so I followed him from the beginning to the end of his career. He really impressed me, on and off the pitch. Then I had favorites depending on the year. When I started to follow the Club, it was rather David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry, then Ludovic Giuly and Fernando Morientes, and the last was Bernardo Silva.
Do you have many AS Monaco shirts?
I had the chance to collect worn ones, but I don’t collect them. I won Julien Rodriguez’s during a raffle with the CSM. We had also organized a charity action for a little disabled girl, with the possibility of acquiring jerseys, which allowed me to buy Sébastien Squillaci’s. I also got shorts and… a tie from Andreas Zikos. At the end of the season, he had emptied his locker in the locker room and on leaving La Turbie he had opened his trunk, so it was open bar (laughs)! I also have a jersey and a sweatshirt worn by Leandro Cufré. It’s not a big collection, but I have some cool pieces.
Finally, how do you feel about this match against Saint-Etienne?
I would rather say advantage in Monaco, even if it’s worth a little trouble for the Greens because I have very good memories with AS Saint-Etienne, which is a bit like my second favorite club. I went to see a lot of matches at Geoffroy-Guichard and sometimes I completely disconnected from the field to follow the show in the stands, because that’s the Cauldron, both in the Kop Nord and in the boxes. So I would like Saint-Etienne to stay in Ligue 1, but above all I want us to win on Saturday to get to Europe at the end of the season!