Zuriko Davitashvili, after a complicated start at ASSE, made everyone agree during the last meeting of the Greens. A hat-trick as a reminder that he can ignite a match on his own. Now thriving within the Saint-Etienne collective (2 assists and 3 goals), 90 Football went to meet his former Bordeaux teammates. They talk about their former partner…
Malcolm Collect : “The first image that comes to me when we talk about Zuriko Davitashvili is his goal against Dijon in the 88th minute. He gets on his weak foot and places the ball in the top corner. He made an immediate impression! Zuriko was very close to Danylo Ignatenko. Despite the language barrier, he chatted a lot with everyone. He has an incredible clothing style. At 22 or 23, he dresses like a 50 year old man. is a great worker, always the first to arrive in the gym to do his stretching and core work. Even after the sessions, he stayed on the pitch to work on his finishing. His first year in Bordeaux, he could have scored more goals, but. he has improved a lot on this point. The chances he created, he converted them.
“He dresses like a 50-year-old man!”
Clement Michelin : “He’s a player who asserts himself on the pitch without necessarily speaking outside. I think he had a little trouble opening up at the beginning. Language is never easy. Fortunately , there were 2-3 players with whom he could interact more easily. He was very pleasant to live with on a daily basis in the locker room. He will never pose a problem for Zuriko in his little family life. a beautiful, discreet person who works in his own corner.
I have this image of him, arriving every morning before everyone else to work. While I worked on set pieces with Pedro Diaz, he liked to arrive, take a free kick into the top corner, and leave. It was his thing. He has great potential, he understands football, he is intelligent and has great athletic abilities. What impressed me the most about him was his ability to eliminate his opponents. He can dribble whoever he wants, whenever he wants. For me, what he lacks is letting go of the ball at the right time.”
“Davitashvili knows where he comes from and, above all, where he wants to go.”
Gaëtan Poussin : “He went through a bit of a difficult time, which is normal with adaptation. When you leave your country and discover a new language, it’s never easy. He’s a funny person, still young , fiery, who likes to joke with others He takes risks, even in low areas with the ball Sometimes, it can cost goals, and indeed, we conceded a few because of that.
Jacques Ekomie : “It was impossible to see him resting. I remember, one Sunday, I came to the club for treatment, and I saw him training. Normally, attacking players are a bit more carefree and free, but he is really determined and hardworking. He doesn’t just see it as a job, he really enjoys it. His father is also very passionate. he lived the match as if he were on the pitch. Zuriko knows where he comes from and, above all, where he wants to go.
