The Catalan third row from Montpellier was as proud of his team as of his public at the end of the precious victory won in Hérault, this Saturday (20-25). For what was surely his last match in this arena, the emotions were high.
We can imagine your emotion after this final moment of communion with your thousands of supporters…
With victory, it’s better but, yes, what an audience! How can you not commune with them? It’s the best audience in France and we gave it back by winning. We are proud of that.
However, the start of the match was not ideal with mistakes, inaccuracies…
There is wind data to take into account. Montpellier was in place and put us in difficulty too. But we managed to score and defend on the last action of the first period. So we went back to the locker room saying “we’re here” even though it took us a while to get going. Even if there was something at stake, we are more liberated. And it paid off in the end.
What was most striking about you was surely your unfailing serenity. How to explain it?
Beyond the fact that we play in a more liberated way, there is another reality: we have experience. We’ve been struggling for two years… We knew we would have moments for ourselves. The group has confidence in itself, it has certainties. We just had to get started. It happened through balls carried, by our forwards. The strength of this group is that everyone gives their all. He has forged himself through hard work and, what’s more, he is starting to demonstrate that he has talent.
Are you starting to think about the final stages?
There are four games left…
Can we at least consider that maintenance is acquired?
Direct maintenance will be played out at 53, 54 points. This is the first year that it will be decided this high. Let’s say that with this victory, we still have to be sure at home. But it’s a big step.
How did you experience the popular fervor of the blood and gold people throughout this day?
They are incredible. Plus, it was my last match here… Signing for Usap was the best choice of my career, few people experience that. Whether it’s when we go into warm-up, when we score… I invite people to come to Aimé-Giral to discover this incredible atmosphere. People bleed for us, we have to give back to them. It’s beautiful.
The meeting was special for you. What feelings are going through you?
Montpellier remains my hometown, I spent 15 years here. There are inevitably conflicting emotions but I have always played to win and I will fight to the end to defend this jersey. There is emotion this evening. With all my family, my friends… I tell myself that I will stay with a victory in Montpellier.
And a good game from you…
And yes, we’re hanging on for an old man (laugh)…
: “It’s the best crowd in France and we gave it back by winning, we’re proud of that”){kind=link}