More than 3000 Juve supporters from Italy are expected for the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against OL, Wednesday evening in the bays of Groupama Stadium, in Décines (Rhône), about ten kilometers away east of Lyon.
Since Monday, the question of their coming to France, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis in northern Italy, has been on the table. Several deputies from the Rhône, but also the mayors of Meyzieu and Décines have publicly asked to prevent them from crossing the border. In vain. "There is no need to prohibit the arrival of Italian supporters in Lyon," reaffirmed Olivier Véran, the Minister of Health, Wednesday noon.
And there they are, the Italians. This Wednesday afternoon, in small clusters, dozens of Juve fans roam the streets of Lyon. Particularly in the center, in the heart of the peninsula. "I come from Genoa with my brother and his son," says Andrea, who is walking a stone's throw from the famous Place Bellecour (Lyon IIe). We come to enjoy this beautiful city of Lyon and support our club. The French shouldn't worry, we're fine. We also received a lot of sympathy messages. Passersby say welcome to Lyon . "
The atmosphere is calm. Good child. Dozens of CRS coaches line Place Bellecour, but there is no animosity to report.
“The Italians are our neighbors. There are daily exchanges with Italy, in all forms. We're not going to stop living, ”says Nathalie, a passer-by. Same story with a cafe owner, Patrice, from the very commercial rue Victor-Hugo: “Several Juve supporters have come to have a drink since noon. What do you want ? That I forbid them entry? Do I ask for an identity card? That I write on the door forbidden to the Chinese , forbidden to the northern Italians ? Frankly, it is not serious. Everyone is welcome in Lyon ”.
"France and Italy are a big family"
It is really the state of mind that dominates. A completely normal Wednesday afternoon in Lyon, far from a possible psychosis, where the terraces are more emptied by the very chilly wind from the North than by the fear of encountering an Italian supporter. “I would have applied the precautionary principle, explains Julien, seated at a bar in the rue de la Monnaie. But we are not going to avoid them or divert our path, that is not going to happen ”.
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“The French are taking a picture of us, laughs Alessandro, who came from the Florence region. Well, that's right, one or two asked us where we were from exactly (laughs). "
Alessandro, Andrea and some others will then take the metro and then the tram to get to Décines and the stadium. They do not expect to be unwelcome. "We know France, respect for human rights," says Andrea. There is no worry ”.
Not all tifosis will be in the park reserved for visitors. Some have bought tickets in different corners of the stadium, through family or friends in France. Some will even go together to the stadium. “France and Italy are a big family, narrates Andrea. We argue often but we have so much in common. You can't put up a barrier like that. "
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