The Procession: Stade Rennais, stradas and Adidas Sambas in Milan

Words: Guirec Munier.

Images: Guirec Munier.

It all started with disappointment. The disappointment of not managing to finish first in our group in the Europa League when direct qualification for the round of 16 was within reach.

But, the next day, a wind of excitement took hold of my entire body and that of the entire Red and Black community.

Julien Escudé, a former Stade Rennais player, had a lucky hand by drawing the Stade Rennais ball, after that of AC Milan.

I haven't been thrilled at a draw organized by UEFA since 2019 and our confrontation against Arsenal. Whatever the outcome of this double tussle against AC Milan, both meetings promised to be unforgettable.

©Guirec Munier. AC Milan vs Stade Rennais.

For 40-year-olds like me, AC Milan represents more things than Real Madrid. It’s the European club that most embodies European football of the 90s. From Van Basten to Maldini, via Berlusconi, and the legendary San Siro, AC Milan is a name that exudes excellence, prestige, and a little nostalgia.

For me, what most symbolizes a European away game is the procession a few hours before the match.

Beyond the demonstration of force, it’s above all an opportunity to come together, to unite, to share, to exchange, to warm up our voices and to show the extent of our love for the club of our city.

The procession, or should I say the sacred procession towards San Siro, began in Piazza Sempione. It was off for almost three hours of singing, hand clapping, smoke bombs, sticking stickers on every possible surface and fireworks to the Pagano metro station, then to the Lotto metro station towards the Scala del calcio via the racecourse.

Imagine 10,000 white-hot supporters who have been waiting for this day for several weeks, or even forever without knowing it. An immeasurable fervor orchestrated by the ultra group from Stade Rennais, the Roazhon Celtic Kop.

The Rennes boys don’t like the similarities of their logo showing a masked ultra and the one adopted by the Milan Curva Sud and made the point at Roazhon Park with a display on the authorship in the reverse fixture.

The rest of the festivities, nestled in the third ring of the Curva Nord, were of the same ilk with unfailing support throughout the match despite the score being a little too salty for our taste.

Once the bittersweet defeat had been digested, we couldn't wait to taste these very special European atmospheres again as soon as possible.

Sarà perché ti amo.