MONACO

Route, atmosphere, parking… Dive into the heart of the movement at the Vélodrome

On the occasion of the clash between Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco (1-1), we slipped into the CSM bus then into the red and white visitors’ sector, to make you experience the match as close as possible supporters. Narrative.

It’s a shock that has kept all its promises! This Saturday at the Vélodrome stadium, AS Monaco challenged Igor Tudor’s Olympique de Marseille. And if the party, very animated, ended in a draw (1-1), the stands also provided the show. With more than 64,000 spectators present, the party was great, especially in the visitors’ area where some 400 AS Monaco fans were present. On this occasion, we experienced the displacement on the CSM busthen in the heart of the red and white supporters. Immersion. 🇲🇨

Saturday January 28 – 3 p.m.: The big start

It is on the forecourt of the Louis-II Stadium that the bus leaves for Marseille. The Club faithful are all already there, and no latecomers are to be reported. The 38 members present on the CSM bus – who incidentally celebrates its 70th anniversary on the occasion of the first leg -, are ready to take off. The hour of departure has sounded, it’s off for a little over three hours on the road under a beautiful winter sun. Despite the fairly low temperatures, no cold snap to report on the side of the supporters, already boiling more than five hours before the meeting. 🚌

3:22 p.m.: Confession time

In the car, we find a place next to Lucas, 21 years old. This resident of Valbonne swears only by AS Monaco. “My brother and my father transmitted this passion to me. I was a subscriber in 2013-2014 and I didn’t miss any home game. That season was simply exceptional. Alternating in human resources, the young man is about to live his second trip of the season after the one in Nice in September, but his first at the Vélodrome stadium. “I’m traveling alone because most of my friends are for Nice, but that doesn’t bother me at all, on the contrary I can’t wait to get there! he smiles. 🗣️

5:43 p.m.: First stop in Aubagne

After a little over two hours on the road, here we are in Aubagne, not far from Marseille. There, we pick up a red and white supporter living in Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer, in the Var. Dressed in a flocked “Biancorossi 83” Club jersey, this merry fellow comes to join the party. “I’m from Cannes, but I’ve always been a supporter of AS Monaco. And in the Var, they are almost all for Marseille, so it’s even funnier, ”he confides. 🛣

5:56 p.m.: under good escort

Barely ten minutes after the express stop, here we are on the Peypin motorway rest area, where a police escort will come to guarantee the safety of the Monegasque supporters. Before entering Marseille, a break is essential! On a wooden table not far from the parking space, an improvised picnic is born. Savory cakes, charcuterie and cakes of all kinds are on the menu. “It’s cold, I can’t stay still”, we hear here and there. The members of the CSM must take their troubles patiently: the escort, which is already present on the motorway rest area, will not leave for another hour. 🥪

6:55 p.m.: Welcome to Velo!

That’s it, last straight line before the arrival at the Stade Vélodrome! The bus is about to complete its journey, more than three hours after leaving Fontvieille. On the way, the atmosphere increases more and more, and a multitude of songs are launched by the faithful of AS Monaco. “Chalalalalalala ohhhhhh Monacoooooo” represent the passengers in heart. A good-natured atmosphere and an arrival at the Stade Vélodrome a little over an hour before kick-off (7:47 p.m.): the meeting was good and well received. 🎵

8:21 p.m.: Entrance to the park

The various security checks passed without incident, that’s it, here we are in the visitors’ sector of the Marseille enclosure! 40 minutes from kick-off, some 400 AS Monaco supporters gather in the upper part of the bend reserved for them. In the middle of this beautiful world, several CSM branches and supporter groups are present: the Munegu Île-de-France, the Supp’Lorraine or even the Monegasques are all in the game. Let the show begin… 🎉

9 p.m.: Kick-off

The kick off of the meeting is given. And the very good ename of the men of Philippe Clement encourages the supporters present to give voice. Despite the high evening crowds, nothing to discourage the reckless present. They will support the Red and White no matter what.

9:17 p.m.: The explosion of joy!

On a free kickAlexander Golovin, Jordan Veretout deflects the ball with a header into his own goal. The stage is set, the Reds and Whites open the scoring… and the visitor sector falters. “Chalalalalalala ohhhhhh Monacoooooo”, take the whole bend just in front of the team, which came with vigor. Everyone hugs each other, the smiles go to the ears… No doubt, AS Monaco takes us all to seventh heaven!

10:11 p.m.: We don’t give up

Despite Marseille’s equalization at the start of the second period, the visitors’ sector continues to give voice. From the first to the last minute, the more than 400 Monegasque supporters will encourage teammates by Axel Disasi. Despite the draw conceded on the pitch, the red and white fans have once again proven that they will always be there to cheer on the team.

11 p.m.: Everywhere, always!

In the wake of the final whistle, the hardest part begins: the wait and the return. After leaving the visitors’ sector, you now have to be patient and put your fatigue aside for this return by bus. It’s in the middle of the night that the red and white people find their starting point, sometimes very far away, before everyone goes home for a well-deserved night’s sleep… Before the next trip. DAGHE MUNEGU and THANK YOU! 🔴⚪

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