With the Derby fast approaching, what other player could we have contacted than Robert Beric? Bob answered our questions in an exclusive interview.
A look back at his time at ASSE
You arrive in Saint-Étienne and you integrate very quickly. How do you explain it?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “In fact, as soon as I arrived at Saint-Étienne, I felt really good. The team welcomed me very well at that time. We also played very well at that time with Christophe Galtier as coach. Everyone world really made my integration easier. I also immediately really liked the atmosphere in the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium. I was really happy to be in Saint-Étienne.
Despite your serious injury, you manage to come back and win the hearts of the supporters. Robert Beric and ASSE, is it a love story? What memories do you have of your years in Saint-Etienne?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “My injury? It happened quite quickly after my arrival at Saint-Étienne, during my first derby in Lyon, in the old OL stadium. It was a difficult period for me, but I knew I would come back . Everyone at the club helped me come back. The fans, everyone sent me a lot of positive messages and support. They really helped me come back even stronger than before. that our story began in Saint-Étienne.
ASSE? These are just good memories. I just want to keep the good memories. I've had ups and downs, like everyone, but in the end, I only remember the good things: good matches, a good atmosphere in the stadium, great people at the club. I worked with a lot of coaches, good coaches. What more can I say? I stayed almost four and a half years, it's the club where I spent the most time in my career. I always said it was my second home, people treated me very, very well there. I only have good things to say about Saint-Étienne and the club. THANKS.”
News from Robert Beric
At 33, you continue to score and shine in China: 13 goals in 28 matches. Is everything going well for you? What are your goals?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “I had a good season this year in China. I'm still trying, I still have energy and enjoy playing football. I don't know, I don't really feel like I'm too old. I am 33 years old. I still love playing, I still give 100% on the pitch, and I will continue like this as long as I can. My goal is to continue season by season. Every time I want to score as much as possible, that's my goal, and help the team achieve their goals. In every match, I give my all on the pitch and I will always continue to do so.”
ASSE news
ASSE is back in L1. Do you continue to follow the Greens?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “I follow ASSE in the first division, and I know that the derby is coming this weekend, so I will watch this match, for sure. I had also thought about coming, but perhaps I would come to Geoffroy-Guichard. I’ll come and watch the match live in the Cauldron if I can!”
Saint-Étienne was bought by a Canadian billionaire. A new impetus for ASSE? What do you think?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “Yes, I saw the news of the change of president. The Canadians have arrived at the club, and like I said, I am the club. I try to follow, I read the news, and I hope that they will build a new era for Saint-Étienne. We have to get the club back to where it should be. The club is one of the biggest in France, I hope they will bring it back to the top. These are my wishes, and I hope to see this in the future.”
Many young players have joined ASSE, and several do not yet speak French. Any advice for them to integrate as well as possible?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “About speaking French, I mean, French is a difficult language, but in my case, I was learning with a teacher, trying to speak French. My advice is to try to learn, get a teacher to learn French, and try to speak… They don't need to be shy. They just have to try to speak and chat with French people, and yes, it’s the best way to learn the language.”
What do you think of the current team? Do you think they will manage to stay in L1?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “The current team has a lot of potential. They are young players with a lot of talent and potential. I don't think they'll come down. I am even sure that they will stay in Ligue 1. I think they have the quality to stay in the first division. As I said before, I support them. I'm their number one fan. Of course, I want them to stay in Ligue 1, because ASSE belongs to this division. They should be there always and forever. Like I said, I hope in the future they go back to the top.”
Robert Beric et le Derby
You definitely entered the ASSE legend by scoring against Lyon. What feeling did you get when you scored against Lyon?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “I know the derby is this weekend. It's a special match. When I scored against OL in the last minute, it was incredible. Scoring Geoffroy-Guichard at that moment of the match was crazy. It's hard to explain what I felt at that moment. The ball arrives, I don't ask myself any questions. The ball ends up in the back of the net and the stadium completely explodes. The fans were crazy. It was incredible. It's one of the strongest feelings of my career. I hope ASSE will achieve a result this weekend.”
What is a derby like? Any advice for players?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “The Derby is a really difficult match because it is very special. The atmosphere is really special. Everyone only talks to you about this meeting. The fans, the press, everyone is waiting for the Derby. It's a match where you have to give everything. Just give everything and try to play despite the special atmosphere. And above all, you have to try to win. Obviously. “
A final word for ASSE supporters?
Robert Beric (ex-ASSE) : “What can I say? I can only say thank you to everyone. Thank you for creating one of the best atmospheres I have seen in a stadium. Thank you for the best moments of my career. It was always a pleasure to play at Geoffroy-Guichard with this kind of supporters, in an incredible atmosphere. I always loved playing there. Thank you for everything, for all the support and for everything they have done for me. They will do the same for other players as well. They are incredible.”
