Robin Le Normand, you lost Wednesday in the King’s Cup against Barcelona (0-1) but you didn’t go far from extra time. How did you feel after this game?
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Personally, you muzzled Robert Lewandowski throughout the game. Is it nevertheless a personal satisfaction?
R. LN. : For me, it’s not a satisfaction because we lost. That’s not how I see things. It is clear that to hope to pass, we had to be good defensively because they have world-class players up front. I think we limited their offensive actions but we lost, so there is still work to do.
Does standing up to Barca give you confidence ahead of heading to the Bernabéu on Sunday to face Real Madrid?
R. LN. : Whatever happens, Real Madrid are still in the game. I remember this quarter-final of the 2020 King’s Cup, when they came back to 4-3 when we were leading 4-1. They are great champions. But we know that if we do things right, we can annoy them. I hope we will take points there.
How do you approach the challenge against Karim Benzema?
R. LN. : In La Liga, it doesn’t matter which striker you face, you have to show the best version of yourself. Now Karim Benzema is the Ballon d’Or. He is so smart in his movements and skilful in front of goal that you will have to be very attentive. It’s up to us to do our best to hinder them offensively and to be skilful in front of goal to get a result.
When you look at Real Sociedad, you always expect a good game
Real Sociedad are third in La Liga and remain on five consecutive league wins. What’s your secret?
R. LN. : We have a group that knows each other well. For most players, we’ve been together for four years. The recruits have integrated very well and have assimilated the style of play of our coach (Imanol Alguacil). There is a very good energy in the locker room. Now, we must continue on this dynamic.
Is the C1 an announced objective for Real Sociedad?
R.LN. : Between us, we don’t really talk about it. But afterwards, it is clear that it would be ideal. I think every player thinks about it in a little corner of his head. Now, we are so far from the end of the championship that it is too early to talk about it. There are 20 games left, there are so many points at stake. What is certain is that we are working hard, that the supporters are behind us and that there is good chemistry. We have to keep all of that. Now, I hope you will ask me the same question five days from the end.
Twenty years ago, Raynald Denoueix came very close to winning the Spanish league title with Real Sociedad. Do you hear a lot about it at the club or in town?
R.LN. : Not a lot but afterwards it’s clear that it’s part of the story. By his results but above all by the style of play he imposed. When you look at Real Sociedad, you always expect a good game. It’s a great moment for the club that inspires us. That’s what you have to aim for. We want the fans to be proud of us. We work for that. But afterwards, La Liga is very tough. Almost ten teams can claim to play the Europa League. Afterwards, we must not lack ambition because we have a very efficient group.
Is it complicated to get behind Antoine Griezmann, who marked the club a lot (2009-2014)?
R.LN. : No, but it’s inspiring. He showed that it was possible. When I was in the reserve team here, I thought a lot about his career. Antoine was more of a source of inspiration for me. He played the Champions League (2013-14) here and I hope we will get there too.
Antoine Griezmann was a source of inspiration for Robin Le Normand.
Credit: Getty Images
On a personal level, how do you explain your very good current period?
R. LN. : I think we should not only watch the last matches. It’s a three-four-year dynamic that’s pretty good. I am in a very healthy environment and with a coach who is very demanding with me. Tactically, technically and physically, he pushes me a lot to keep improving. Also, I am gaining experience and I have learned from my mistakes in matches.
In what areas have you made the most progress since leaving Brest in 2016?
R. LN. : Technically, I have made great progress. But afterwards, it is especially on the tactical level where I evolved the most. The game is so demanding that I had to improve a lot on both counts.
You talk about technique. In training, it must be something on a daily basis with David Silva, Martin Zubimendi, etc…
R. LN. : It is clear that it is great. Afterwards, it makes life easier for us central defenders to have midfielders like that. When you see what David Silva is doing at 37, it’s remarkable. I think our midfield has nothing to envy to those of other teams in the Spanish league.
A lot of people don’t know me yet in France and I have to reach them
How do you feel about being more recognized in Spain than in France?
R. LN. : I play almost every three days here so there is more visibility. Now, I have the impression that I have been known a little more in France for several months. I never dwelled on that. It will come when it comes. I am focused on giving the best version of myself to Real Sociedad. Afterwards, it’s true that a lot of people don’t know me yet in France and I have to manage to reach them.
Is a return to the French championship part of your plans or do you want to stay in La Liga for the long term?
R. LN. : I never thought about it too much. After football can go very quickly but currently, I am so fulfilled in Spain.
If Real Sociedad were to go on to qualify for the Champions League, could that make you want to stay for several more years?
R. LN. : It’s clear that it would be incredible to play the Champions League with Real Sociedad compared to everything we’ve done so far. Afterwards, it shouldn’t just be played, but the club’s colors should shine and show a good image at the highest level. In addition, we have a lot of quality within the team.
Have you ever been approached in recent months by La Liga heavyweights?
R. LN. : The transfer windows, it moves in all directions and for once, I have people who take care of it. I trust them completely. Currently, the best option is to continue at Real Sociedad. We live in incredible times. I feel like I’m progressing and that’s the most important thing for a player. Now, we have to continue in this dynamic to be at the top in the last five or six days and be able to aim for C1.
On the sidelines of the World Cup or in the months preceding, have you already received a pre-selection for the France team?
R. LN. : No never. We can even go further: I have never received anything, even a small one for the Côtes-d’Armor selections.
Is the France team an objective for you?
R. LN. : As I have often said, selection is a goal. I work hard to be called one day. But the most important thing is club performance because it determines whether you can have a role in the selection. We’ll see what happens, but it’s not something that bothers me.
There were injuries in defense with the Blues before the start of the World Cup. How did you experience the fact of not having been asked?
R. LN. : It was hard. Especially after Presnel Kimpembe’s injury. Of course you think about it because I was coming out of a season where I had done things well. At that moment, you say to yourself why not. But these are Didier Deschamps’ choices and it’s up to me to show more to be called up in Blue. There are so many quality players in the selection, especially defensively, that it pushes me even more. That’s how I take it anyway.
La Roja? Right now I haven’t thought about it
Did you quickly evacuate the disappointment?
R. LN. : “It went quickly because afterwards I had to rest in order to play every three days on the restart. Afterwards, I don’t control this type of decision but I control what I do on the pitch and the energy I put in every day to improve myself.
When you see Aymeric Laporte playing for the Spanish selection, could that make you want to evolve with La Roja?
R. LN. : In Spain, we talked a lot about it. It is a pride that the journalists mentioned it. I thank them because there are also a lot of quality players in this selection. But right now, I haven’t thought about it. Now I’m really focused with my club and it’s not relevant for me.
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