Lens-Arsenal

Champions League: scoring in Bollaert, "an exceptional thing" for John Utaka

Last scorer in the Champions League in Bollaert in 2002, former Nigerian striker John Utaka explains to AFP how scoring in the European Cup in this "mythical" stadium is "exceptional", before the clash Lens-Arsenal Tuesday, October 3

John Utaka lets his joy burst after scoring a goal, on September 24, 2002 at the Félix Bollaert stadium in Lens, during the match Racing Club de Lens / Bayern Munich, counting for the 2nd day of the Champions League football. AFP - DENIS CHARLET

By: RFI Follow

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During RC Lens' last Champions League campaign, in 2002-03, you scored at home against Bayern Munich (1-1) and AC Milan (2-1). What were your feelings at that time?

John Utaka: It's extraordinary, Bollaert, every time we play, in the league or in the European Cup, the crowd is great. There is nothing to say. It's just happiness. That year, we had a very, very good team, which allowed us to have chances, players in midfield who gave us good balls, who created scoring chances. Every time I think about it, or look at the goals, it makes me happy, because it was my first year in France and it was my first European Cup, and to score against Bayern Munich and AC Milan was an exceptional thing for me.

Hearing the music of the Champions League in this stadium must have been impressive?

Bollaert is a mythical stadium, there are also World Cup matches that have been played there, it is a famous stadium in France and even abroad. Every time you play there, it's a special feeling, it's exceptional. Hearing this music in this stadium, it gives goosebumps, you know you're there. Apart from the World Cup, there is no competition higher than the Champions League. It's a mini-World Cup with great teams and the best players. We must be present in these moments.

Do you feel like you entered the hearts of the Lensois at that moment?

I think, but then it was all in continuity. I scored against Milan and Bayern, but we had to keep making people happy, play good games and score goals. Because people pay tickets to come to the stadium, so the most important thing is to live your passion to the fullest, for me and for the fans. The Lensois public is family, very close to the players, it lives football. It's a very special relationship between the public and the players. Tomorrow (Tuesday), the crowd will put pressure on them to try to win this important game against Arsenal. Everyone knows that the Lensois public is the best, or at least one of the best French audiences. I hope that Lens wins, they have arguments and a good solid team, with Elye Wahi who has regained his dynamism. They are capable of beating any team in this stadium.

Lens faces the Arsenal challenge

With a newfound confidence, Lens will celebrate the return of the Champions League in its Stade Bollaert by rubbing shoulders with Arsenal, cador of Group B and much superior in appearance. This match against the Londoners, already at the top of their pool after their walk against PSV Eindhoven (4-0), is for the players of the artesian club a peak of their career, much higher in their eyes than the Ligue 1 games, even those against Paris Saint-Germain or against the rival Lille. A victory against the reigning runner-up of England, currently third, the completely different budget and the players of international renown - Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice to name a few - would go directly into the golden book of the exploits of the northern club.

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• UEFA Champions League
• France