La Courneuve calls for Moussilou

Striker Matt Moussilou is heading back to his roots again as LOSC Lille Métropole take on Manchester United FC at the Stade de France.

Home comforts
While most of his team-mates were on new ground as Lille played their opening match at the Stade de France against Villarreal CF on Matchday 2, Moussilou was in familiar territory. Not only had he played at the stadium as a youth player, the 23-year-old also grew up nearby.

Famous estate
From the age of one, Moussilou lived with his family in the Parisian suburb of La Courneuve - renowned for its immense concrete tower blocks and nicknamed 'La Cité des 4,000' because, when constructed in 1963, the sprawling estate consisted of 4,000 flats - less than a kilometre from the Stade de France.

Dangerous times
With drugs and crime a major problem in the estate during his youth, it was not an ideal area to live in, as Moussilou admits. "Ten years ago it was one of Paris's most dangerous suburbs," he told uefa.com. "There were times when you couldn't go outside because of the crazy stuff going on. It was like a French version of the Bronx."

'Great solidarity'
Moussilou none the less looks back on his childhood with fond memories insisting that being streetwise has helped his football career. "There's no doubt that it strengthened my character," he said. "People say only negative things about 'Les 4,000', but within our community there was great solidarity. We used to look after each other."

'Breath of fresh air'
While some of his friends got involved in petty crime, Moussilou turned to football as his escape. "I wasn't passionate about the game at first; I played because it was a breath of fresh air," he recalled. "We'd play matches on the concrete outside the flats, or on the pitches next door, sometimes ten-a-side, sometimes 20-a-side. We used to organise tournaments and we'd stage our own mini-World Cups."

Lille opportunity
Moussilou started taking the game more seriously and was eventually offered the chance to join the Lille youth academy after three seasons with Le Bourget FC. Immediately earmarked as a special talent by the Lille coaching staff, the pacy forward made his first-team debut in 2001/02 but did not truly announce himself in the top flight until last term. He scored 12 league goals, including the fastest hat-trick in Ligue 1 history, and helped the club qualify for this season's UEFA Champions League.

'Special night'
Nothing in his career could compare to the emotion he felt when returning to the Stade de France with Lille. "It was a very special night," Moussilou told uefa.com. "When I was a kid I watched the Stade de France being built, then I used to listen to the crowd when France played matches there. To able to play here in the Champions League, with all of my friends and family in the stands, is incredible."

'Two more chances'
And while he may have failed to cap his return to his roots with a goal, the United game will give him a second chance to shine. "Against Villarreal it wasn't to be, but I've still got two more chances," Moussilou smiled. United and SL Benfica would do well to bear that in mind.