Lille Host Lens in the 125th North Derby
Listen to the story
Lille will host Lens today in a match from the 9th round of Ligue 1, the top football division in France.
This game is known as the North Derby, a long-standing rivalry between two clubs from the north of France. Today's match is the 125th edition of this famous derby.
Both teams come into the game with new coaches. Since this is their first North Derby in charge, neither coach has direct experience of the intense local rivalry.
Injuries are also a major factor. Both squads have many players unavailable, with their infirmaries described as full.
Another unusual detail is the absence of Lens fans at the stadium. There will be no away support from Lens supporters during the match.
Because of these factors, football media say that the usual rivalry between the clubs is taking a back seat this time. Normally, the North Derby is known for intense atmosphere and strong emotions between fans.
Fans can follow the match through a live broadcast, known as a live stream, which will show action in real time as the game happens.
The official lineups, meaning the list of starting players chosen by each coach, have already been announced ahead of kickoff.
Vocabulary9 words
- Lille
- a football club and city in northern France
- Lens
- a football club and city in northern France, near Lille
- Ligue 1
- the top professional football league in France
- derby
- a match between two teams that are close to each other geographically
- infirmary
- a term used in sports to describe the group of injured players
- away support
- fans of the visiting team who travel to watch the match
- atmosphere
- the mood or feeling created by a crowd of people
- live stream
- a video broadcast shown in real time over the internet
- lineup
- the list of players chosen to start a match
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Quiz
Answer key
1. The 9th round 2. Because of new coaches, injuries, and no away fans 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
_____ will host Lens today in a match from the 9th round of Ligue 1, the top football division in France.
This game is known as the North Derby, a long-standing rivalry between two clubs from the north of France. Today's match is the 125th edition of this famous _____.
Both teams come into the game with new _____. Since this is their first North Derby in charge, neither has direct experience of the intense local rivalry.
Injuries are also a major factor. Both squads have many players unavailable, with their _____ described as full.
Another unusual detail is the absence of Lens fans at the stadium. There will be no _____ from Lens supporters during the match.
Normally, the North Derby is known for intense _____ and strong emotions between fans.
Fans can follow the match through a live broadcast, known as a _____, which will show action in real time.
The official _____, meaning the list of starting players chosen by each coach, have already been announced ahead of kickoff.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think derby matches often create strong emotions among fans?
- How might the absence of away supporters change the atmosphere of a football match?
- Do you think new coaches face extra pressure in historic rivalry matches? Why?
- How might injuries to key players affect a team's performance in a big game?
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