Rémy Cabella, the former LOSC attacking midfielder, expressed his astonishment at the atmosphere at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium before the next derby against RCLens. In an interview given to the media Capté and relayed by LePetitLillois, the 36-year-old compared the two stadiums, emphasizing that the Decathlon Arena in Lille had always had a greater impact on him than the Lensois stadium.
Cabella has never lost a Northern derby in the Lille jersey. In five confrontations with RCLens, he recorded three victories and two draws, a record which, according to him, influenced his feelings when he compared the atmospheres. He admitted that he expected more noise, a more aggressive atmosphere and more anger from the Lensois supporters. “I was expecting more noise, something louder,” he said, adding that the more open architecture of the Lens stadium could explain the lower sound intensity.
Conversely, Cabella recalled that matches at the Decathlon Arena, with its closed enclosure, generated a stronger and more intense atmosphere. He specified that he preferred the atmosphere of the matches in Lille, where we felt that the game was going to be played until the last minute. This preference is explained by his experience at LOSC, where he participated in 113 matches, scored 13 goals and provided 22 assists since his arrival in 2022.
Despite his departure from LOSC for Volos, after an inconclusive period at Olympiakos, Cabella remains attached to his former club. He underlined the importance of the Sang et Or public, but also expressed his unmet expectations regarding the intensity of the Lensois stadium. “I expected it to move in all directions from the first to the last minute, and sometimes it was a little light,” he concluded, regretting that the atmosphere did not correspond to his expectations.
The next derby in Lille therefore promises a confrontation where the atmosphere could play a key role. Cabella, who has always found the atmosphere in Lille the most impressive, is looking forward to feeling its effects on the pitch again. LOSC and RCLens are preparing for a duel where the intensity of the supporters could influence the result, and both teams will be ready to give the best of themselves in this match which is of particular importance for Northern supporters.