The reaction of Stéphane Dao, after the rout of his team in Lyon, is clear and clear: “We missed everything: envy, address and discipline.” So, after such a poor performance, a number of questions arise.
Is the absence of Marius Chambre and Augustinas Venckus has been harmful? Of course. But you have to do with it. The leader’s season is over, that of the winger could resume for the play-offs.
Did the U’boys not approach this match with an excess of confidence? Lyon was last in the hen and the Union had largely dominated it when going. So, we can fear that the Bigourdans have not started the meeting, more or less unconsciously, with all the necessary concentration. It has already happened to them in the past. Opposite, the locals had nothing to lose and showed exemplary motivation.
Have Stéphane Dao’s players been surprised by the Lyonnais tactic? The Lyonso had clearly announced that it would be squeezing the defense on the rear line of the Union and its “snipers”, which had found their address against Saint-Vallier. The Lyonnais did not stop harassing the Unionists, who lost the thread of the match. Result: 7 award -winning successful out of 25 tempted shots. Well below the expected standards. Pascal Hervé, the Rhôdanian coach, had also targeted Mike Joseph, and his “big” stifled the union giant, to the point of making him commit 3 faults very quickly. Result: 13 minutes of play and 2 points for Joseph. Far from the 27 of the previous Friday. In total, 69 points scored. It is little for a team deemed to be offensive.
And the defense? She fell in love. 87 points conceded, that’s too much. We saw the Lyonnais skillfully maneuver in the racket and find advantageous shooting positions. Late, the U’boys …
Has the arrival of Sidy N’Dir brought something to the Tarbes-Lerdes team? The ex-Lyonnais played 21 minutes, but we cannot blame him for not having weighed on the game of his family since he had arrived in Bigorre only the avant-old. Clumsy on shots (0/3), he still managed 4 out of 4 free throws.
Does this defeat change something in the classification for the Union? Yes, the union descends from a notch and finds itself 6th, preceded (at the Goal-Everage) by Tours, who went to win at the SCABB (71-73). The receptions of orchies (this Friday) and Mulhouse (May 6) will be capital, these two clubs appearing just behind the union at 1 point. A victory in Loon-Plage (May 2) would arrange many things. And if not, the last meeting of phase 2, in the SCABB room, could be decisive.
Should we wait for a reaction from U’Boys on Friday against Orchies? If they do not react on this occasion, they will never. But we know Stéphane Dao enough to know that he will be able to prepare them for this meeting. And we know the players enough to know that they will not remain their arms crossed. Especially driven by an audience that will give everything to encourage his players.
