A derby is always a special match. The Nice-Monaco and Monaco-Nice matches captivate the Côte d’Azur. Around this match, which was won by the team from the Principality 1-0, many “Made in OGC Nice” activities and events brought excitement to this Ligue 1 game. Here’s the story.
A match at the Allianz Riviera begins hours before the kickoff. Between the preparations inside and around the stadium and in the designated areas for activities, a horde of people arrives more than four hours before the game starts. For the second season in the new stadium in Plaine du Var, each match brings its share of surprises and developments.
First, the club store on the south esplanade was inaugurated during the first day of the league before the Nice-Toulouse match. Following the flagship store at Place Massena, the OGC Nice club now has a second asset for match nights. Open 3 hours before the game and for an hour after, it allows fans of the Aiglons and occasional spectators to explore the Gym universe in 115 square meters.
The appearance of Food Trucks on the north esplanade is the attraction of the 2014-2015 season. Five trucks offer a varied and affordable dining experience. This ranges from Spanish products (Truck Espagnol) to burgers and fries (Le Camion de Sophie), through Italy (La Kitchenette), not forgetting the Nice specialties (Lou Bus d’Aqui). And for the big matches, the inevitable socca is available thanks to La Bella Socca truck. Public feedback for this offer has been very positive.
“You just need to look at social media to see all the good reviews and understand the success. All products come from local producers, and we work on them in our workshop in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. We’re pleased with the turnout at every match,” explains Clémentine Maïtam, who manages the Lou Bus d’Aqui Nice specialties bus with her husband.
A match for the Aiglons also includes a thirty-minute concert near the Food Trucks. At each home game, a local group or artist enlivens the esplanade of the Allianz Riviera. This Friday, it was the group “Ninety’s Story” that came to set the mood with their Pop-Rock-Electro sound.
The activities conclude with the famous visit to the Café des Aiglons, a must for red and black fans, both old and new generations. At each match, as part of the Gym’s 110th anniversary, one or more former players come to the area reserved for supporters. For thirty minutes to an hour, those who made OGC Nice’s history share a convivial moment, signing cards, scarves, and other jerseys. Jean-Philippe Rohr was the guest of honor at this derby.
“It means a lot to come back here. It’s a pleasure to see so many people; it shows that people love the Gym. I reunite with my family, my fans who supported us when I was on the field with my teammates. Inviting former players is a great initiative like other major clubs in Europe. It shows that we don’t forget the past. OGC Nice is a club unlike others; it has a soul, a history,” says the former Aiglons midfielder, who performed the ceremonial kickoff of this Nice-Monaco match at 8:30 PM.
Photo credit: OGC Nice Media
