The Champions League? But which Champions League? The atmosphere is not completely party in Lisbon, capital of Portugal with the seven hills. “And again, everything is much better than a month ago,” says Rui, our taxi driver of the day, a big fan of FC Porto.
Designated on June 17 as host city of Final 8 of the prestigious European Cup by UEFA, in particular thanks to a lower number of contaminations and deaths linked to the coronavirus than elsewhere in Europe, Lisbon is unfortunately not immune to the health crisis.
Tourism suffers in the cobbled streets of the city center. There are French, of course. But to find football and PSG fans, who came to Portugal for this Champions League on purpose, you have to hang on. Even the surroundings of the Stade de la Luz are deserted.
All cafes close after 8 p.m.
Fortunately, the bus in the colors of PSG or that of Atlético de Madrid reminds us that the best teams in the world are here. “I understand that no one comes just for the occasion,” says Jordane, 22, from the Paris suburbs. I’m with my friends on vacation, but we don’t even know where we’re going to watch the games this week. UEFA could have tried to organize small fan-zones. “
Neither spectators in the stands nor fan-zones… nor bars. Rules imposed by health authorities here require all businesses to close after 8 p.m., including cafes, used to crowds on game nights. However, there is a “parade”. In Portugal, almost all restaurants have a TV. Football fans will therefore have to bow to local culinary specialties to see Neymar play.
These restrictions also got the better of the motivations of the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP). The Parisian fan group has given up on joining Lisbon in recent days. There remain a few dozen fans, a handful of whom were present this Tuesday morning at the foot of the gigantic Myriad by Sana Hotels, where Parisians live for, all hope, the next twelve days.
“We visit the city, but I wanted to come and see them, especially Marco Verratti, details the Breton Alexia, 20, Mbappé jersey on the back. We hope to be able to meet tomorrow evening with other supporters. We believe in victory and we aim for the dream on August 23 ”. Who knows, by then, if fervor can take precedence over the coronavirus.
