This Saturday (9:05 p.m.), the northern derby promises a prestige confrontation between two 2018 world champions: the Lensois Florian Thauvin and the Lillois Olivier Giroud. But that's not all: another member of the victorious team in Russia will kick off the match. They are Raphaël Varane, trained in RC Lens.
Retired from land since September 2024, the former defender accepted the invitation of the Lensois club to launch the meeting in an already boiling Bollaert. At the end of August, Varane entrusted her joy to see her former teammates find Ligue 1. “These are friends, so we are in contact. I'm really happy to see them come back to France. In addition, they chose a beautiful region, so it's great ”he explained.
Varane evokes Giroud and Thauvin
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player also commented on Giroud's start to the season. “For his return, Olivier could not dream better on the sporting level. It's exceptional. But I hope he will not score during the derby! For the rest, I obviously wish him the best ”he said.
Varane had not forgotten her compatriot Thauvin. “With Florian, we exchanged and I congratulated him for his choice. He opted for the biggest club in the region! Inevitably, it made me happy ”added the world champion who will give the symbolic start between Lens and Lille. The derby is already boiling.
