Like several of his teammates, Hugo Boudin will take on his first Ligue 1 this Saturday. Against Le Havre, it will be the reward for great resilience for the central defender with a different profile.
Coupe de France (32nd finals). Stade Briochin (N2) – Le Havre AC (L1), this Saturday (3:30 p.m.)
He is one of those who advance without the label of the undisputed holder. “I'm not always the first on the starting line,” smiles the person concerned. Except that Hugo Boudin (32 years old) is one of those players who, at the end of each season, has between 20 and 30 matches added up. Such was his path at Stade Lavallois, when the doors to professionalism closed. This is his path at Stade Briochin where he proposed himself, one day in June 2014. “I started in reserve, in DSE”, rewinds the real estate loan broker.
An atypical profile
The Mayennais then put down his crampons in CFA 2, then in National 2 and National 1. It was only when Karim Mokeddem passed that his fate was (too) quickly sealed. “He was on a mission, I wasn’t necessarily performing well at that time. I only regret that we never had a discussion,” confides the neo-Plérinais.
However, communicating with Hugo Boudin is easy. The boy is intelligent and that shows in his game. It must be said that his height (1.73 m) is atypical for his position as central defender. His reading of the game, his anticipation and his ease with the ball make him a different midfielder. Including when he uses his left foot with relaxation. “I was lucky to have educators who made me work with my weak foot,” he modestly praises.
A spirit that never lets go
The current three-way defense made him slide to the left of Christophe Kerbrat, for a convincing result in Bordeaux (0-0) and against Saumur on Saturday (2-2), even if he had to leave his teammates after cutting his forehead. Two stitches were placed on him in the hospital emergency room that evening. But nothing to slow him down before the reception in Le Havre this Saturday. “It will be the first time that I play in Ligue 1. It’s the top French level! » A gift that he deserved a thousand times over, he who already played matches against Stade Brestois in 2015 (2-0) and RC Lens in 2018 (0-1), when both played in League 2.
“The Cup obviously brings strong memories. » Hugo Boudin often found rebounds there when he played less. But in this 11th season at Stade Briochin, the figures show how much he has always mattered to the Griffons: 49 National matches, 93 in N2, 18 in the Coupe de France. “I am proof that you should never give up. Others might have done it, but not me. Maybe because I have a fulfilling life on the side.” Little Andrea and her brand new house are the most beautiful illustrations.
Photo credit: Photo Laurent Rivier
