The Catalans were reassured after the result obtained against the Rochelais. A necessary prerequisite for considering a take-off this season, the trip to Lyon on Saturday, behind Usap in place of barrage, will obviously constitute one of the major turning points of the exercise. Timing to find, raising the level far from its bases, increased resources, can Perpignan finally accomplish this great coup?
Around 8 p.m. last Sunday, there was a feeling of liberation at the Stade Aimé-Giral, consequence of a more than satisfactory production compared to the Maritimeswhich broke an uncomfortable series in terms of accounting. Dominators in most sectors, including in conquest even if alignment remains the favorite indulgence of the Usapistes, the Catalans have recited several sequences worthy of the name in reference to know-how developed since last season. “If we manage to put this game back in place, it is the fruit of our forwards in the scrums and mauls, on the ground game. Then we perhaps lacked patience until now, the team wanted to score too quickly, ignoring the additional playing time that had to be put in. The match coming up in Lyon will inevitably be decisive for the future, it's a big moment in our championship.declines full-back Louis Dupichot.
The confrontation against the Rhone residents is akin to a real 8-point match, one which gives you a destiny of better fortune generally in the event of success, and which could authorize Usap to advantageously extricate itself from the red zone. On the downside, the men of Franck Azéma and David Marty only brought back one point from their wanderings outside of Aimé-Giral at the present time of Bayonne. A manifest deficiency, where too often the Usapists were tossed around on the move, without managing to compete either in substance or in form. Jérôme Porical, former player of both teams, explains this difficulty:“For the moment, far from Aimé-Giral, Usap is struggling. It's a real test that will take place, it's missing that trigger of the full match. We feel that they are aiming for consistency over 80 minutes. The conquest is “is resumed against La Rochelle, and the common thread that they have put in place takes on its full meaning. If Perpignan wins this duel, it will certainly be a big blow and people's minds will be impacted.”
Maintenance, not a taboo subject
Capitalizing on points will obviously be a priority, while the upcoming schedule could be seen as favorable during the next matches (reception of Bayonne, Castres and Bordeaux-Bègles, trip to Pau). Flirting with the red zone, a notion that the Sang et Or have many times tamed to their advantage, brings up the subject which is not prohibited within the club. “We are always looking for this reference match of courseadmits Tristan Labouteley the second row. Whatever happens, you have to look for points whether you want to maintain them or not. We are not very far from the relegation zone like that of a nicer table. Today, we have to switch to the right side, the choice is no longer on our side.”
Against the Lyonnais looking for a positive result in the Top 14, the proposed mission comes at an almost ideal moment for the Catalans, with the gradual return of executives and profiles likely to stir up emulation. Manager Franck Azéma concedes:“There are a lot of expectations on this, and we took the time to do things in order. Mathieu Tanguy, Patrick Sobela, Jake McIntyre, Marvin Orie and others are up and running soon. I see smiles in training, this consistency is important for the club and the challenges that await us, starting with this trip to Lyon.” With more comfortable options, Usap will have a larger group than before and in recent weeks where certain positions have been in tight flow. A godsend for the kind of match to be produced against Lou.
Lyon, the danger to be channeled
Karim Ghezal's men will take on heavy responsibilities, through the new transition to master with the return of the former member of the French team staff, but also to defeat Perpignan who will inevitably have long teeth. “They have a lot of talent who are involved and committed to their projectcontinues the technician. I see them as a formation capable of being a permanent threat on the pitch. If we are not alert, we know what awaits us with their ball carriers. Against Paris and La Rochelle, it was a bit the same. Knowing Karim, he had to concentrate on how to best manage their qualities and focus on the affect in the group. We can already see it in the players' responses since his return.”
Jérôme Porical, the former international full-back, was full of praise for the Lyonnais, perhaps not in their place today:“It's solid everywhere. They have not confirmed their start to the season, the changes made are certainly a necessity to find a new dynamic. Against Racing 92, they snatch a deserved share of points and will aim for a form of validation against at Usap. Their international level hinge will be preponderant, and the Catalans will have to put in place the ingredients to counter them in the game around the ball. The outcome of the meeting will undoubtedly set the tone for the year 2025, between players from Lou wanting to get off to a good start at home and the Perpignans hoping for a major performance away. Especially since the Catalans have never managed to win in Lyon since the Rhodaniens' rise to the Top 14 in 2011, a real feat to achieve.
