the essential
Qualified for the first time in its history in the 8th round, the club L'Union-Saint-Jean FC (Regional 1) and its coach Greg Sorroche want to continue to believe in it against Versailles, resident of National 1, i.e. four divisions in the -above Haut-Garonnais, who will be at L'Union on Saturday.
Grégory, four days before the match, how are you?
It would be a lie to say that it's a match like any other. For us, it's historic, so obviously, we think about it a lot. We want to continue dreaming.
Did you benefit from qualifying in the previous round?
The club had done things well. We had left for Montferrand the day before to be in the best conditions. There were also around forty people who came from Toulouse to encourage us so it was very pleasant. We celebrated quickly, because we have a pretty busy schedule.
Did the historical side of the qualification affect you?
Yes, the last time we reached the 7th round, we were eliminated by Bayonne at home, without shining. We had suffered a bit from the event. There, there is a real desire to go there with our weapons, to fully live the moment and to put into it the energy and determination that we have been able to put into it until now.
Also read:
Coupe de France: Union-Saint-Jean FC offers itself an eighth round!
Faced with Versailles, it will not be easy…
We know that we will have a National 1 team in front of us, with professionals who do just that. We are respectful of that, but at the same time, we don't want to respect them too much. The players are determined. The group lives very well, they practice well and they don't play too badly. Some people want to prove certain things to themselves so they are ultra-motivated.
Versailles was beaten this weekend in Dijon, did you watch them?
Yes, I've watched the match twice already. I saw how they played, what Dijon put in place so automatically, it gives ideas. Afterwards, we have a certain way of playing. I don't want to distort our way of playing just because it's Versailles. If we must fall, we will fall with our ideas.
Do you feel there is a card to play?
If I didn't feel it, I wouldn't go (laughs). I know they have a new coach, who will want to put these ideas in place and start a dynamic. We expect a complicated match, that they don't give us any favors, that they can score at any time with big individuals so it's up to us to try to give them problems with our weapons .
You beat Cugnaux this weekend, the opportunity to already prepare Versailles?
No, I was concerned with the whole group, so I rotated it. Particularly players under threat of suspension, and giving playing time to those who have less.
So that makes 12 victories in a row!
Yes ! I won't hide from you that it's a nice figure. We are ambitious, so we hope that there will be a thirteenth this weekend.
Is the enthusiasm around the club felt?
Yes clearly. Since we qualified, the club has worked a lot. The information has been reported everywhere so I think the stadium will be full on Saturday. There is great enthusiasm and the party can be even better at the end of the match (laughs).
You are preparing for your DES (Higher State Diploma to coach in N2 and N3 among others) at the moment, it's been a hell of a few days?
Yes, in anticipation of a potential return to National 3 with the club. Then it allows you to question yourself and acquire new skills. It's sure that it's been a hell of a week with the 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. days at the League and then moving on to training, but you have to give yourself the means.
