2023-11-14 13:59:59
Does this start of the week remind you of your good times in the Coupe de France?
It’s different because, at the time, there was Covid. There is even more excitement, not only because of the poster, but because we are going to play in front of a lot of people. The cameras are starting to return to the edge of the pitch, the ticket office only opens this Tuesday but there were already people at the stadium to come and get tickets. We feel something. A few months after the success against Marseille, we beat Pau (L2, 2-2, 3-2 tab) in the 8th round of the following season and I remember saying: “it’s not the same poster, but in the emotion, with the public, is also strong.” If we beat Bordeaux, it will be as strong as against Marseille.
How did you feel when the draw designated the Girondins as your opponent?
I told the coaches: given the group we were in (determined by geographical area for the draw, Editor’s note), the best draw was either one of the two R1 teams – Auch and Toulouse Métropole – or Bordeaux. Facing another N3 or N2, these are not the most fun matches to play and it is complicated to win. Last week, we didn’t know if we were playing Brutus or Canet. My presidents were afraid of not filling in. I told them: even if they are in L2, the Girondins are one of the five or six legendary clubs in France! I played at TFC until I was 20, so I know Bordeaux (laughs)!
Can the experience of 2021 help you?
There are not many of us left from that era, or from the elimination of Pau. But for the five of us, I think so. I had the chance to also face Caen (L1, 1-1, 3 tab to 4) in the 16th final (with Canet 2017-2018), Gazelec Ajaccio (L2, 0-1 in the 7th round in 2018- 2019). Compared to the first time against a professional club, I’m less crazy, I have more perspective. I go there to enjoy more than by putting pressure on myself for the result.
What allowed you to succeed in your exploits?
Something has to be created before the match. During the week before Marseille, the level, the intensity in training, I had never seen it. Everyone wanted to have a big match and that’s what happened: individually, we were all there. On paper, there is a gap but if the 16 put on a great performance and Bordeaux play with a little ease, that’s how the conditions will be met.
Is there an ideal game plan?
No. I played against pro teams with a low block, wait and counter, and it almost worked. On the contrary, against Marseille, we played without complexes, without fear and it worked. Against Pau, being down 2-0 took our mind off things, we let go and came back to 2-2. One thing is certain, whatever the game plan, you can’t just watch them play.
Does your team have the same characteristics as two years ago?
No. During our successes against Marseille and Pau, we had a typical N2 team: very athletic, who played less well on the ball, but with size and power. This season in N3, we are playing the game more, but we are lighter physically.
“Whatever the game plan, you can’t just watch them play”
After 2021, the club experienced a complicated future with 11 penalty points in 2021-2022 for false Covid certificates, 3 penalty points in 2022-2023 for financial problems, demotion to N3. How did you experience it?
I have experienced everything here. The Marseille – Boulogne – Montpellier epic was incredible. Everyone was talking about us, all the media. Emotionally, it’s unique and people always talk to me about it here. From the Covid story, it started to be more complicated. We had a big team and we still managed to stay in N2. And last season was the highlight, a mentally complicated year. We did the job on the pitch, but there was a sanction, payment delays even if the management team which took over in November did everything to save the club and allowed it to stay in N3 ( on appeal, after demotion to R1 by the DNCG at first instance, Editor’s note). It’s difficult to say to ourselves that we experienced something magnificent and that we are now in N3 because of poor management. The season after Marseille, we had very consistent recruitment and, without these concerns, I think we could have made the move to N1 in 2022-2023.
Did you hesitate to stay?
Yes. I had a good season last season, I had offers from top teams in N2 and N1. I’m competitive, I thought about it. But my wife and my family are here, I have projects and I told myself that it wasn’t worth it at 29 years old to abandon that to try it on the right or the left. I do not regret. I knew the new coach (Guillaume Boronad) who is very good in terms of people and sport; the workforce has been renewed at 90% and there is still a little lack of cohesion but the atmosphere is good. This match against Bordeaux can be an accelerator. We have the potential to play for the climb (3rd currently, Editor’s note) but that is not the club’s objective. We have come a long way. We have to heal, rebuild and we will see next season.
You beat the Bordeaux reserve with difficulty (2-1) at the end of October. Do we think about it before facing L2?
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