Football players are very superstitious. As France travelled to Lyon yesterday to face the Republic of Ireland in a Round of 16 tie at Euro 2016, Les Bleus will know that l'Olympique Lyonnais have not lost at the beautiful Parc OL stadium since the opening of the stadium in January.
It is a good omen even if the two Lyonnais of the squad, Samuel Umtiti and Christophe Jallet, will start on the bench on Sunday. But the winning spirit, the unbeaten feeling will be there.
This should be the game where France really kick off their tournament; it all starts now.