Appearing alongside Michel Seydoux on the pitch of the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy this Sunday, Rudi Garcia told us his impressions of the current LOSC.
Formerly of the Lille club, whose coat of arms he defended as a player (1983-1988) and obviously as head coach (2008-2013), Rudi Garcia was happy to be able to reunite with LOSC and its public this Sunday, during a match celebrating the club's 80th anniversary:
“It's a real pleasure to be here and what's good, that's why I congratulate Olivier Létang, is that it's good to build on what has been done in the past. Wherever I arrive, in France or abroad, I know that I coach in that club thanks to the people who were there before me and who have been there before. The memory of a club is to celebrate its alumni”he greeted from the outset.
The technician, who also played for OM and OL in France, also set himself a little challenge this Sunday: “80 years allows us to see people who were there a while ago. To tell you the truth, before arriving here, I had mentally programmed myself by telling myself that I absolutely had to recognize the people I worked with 40 years ago. I was a player here between 1982 and 1988, that doesn't make us any younger (laughing). I recognized them and that’s good, that means they haven’t aged too much”he laughed in the bowels of the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy.
“I have a little weakness for Benjamin André”
Avid follower of ball news, he also deciphered the results of the Blues during Euro 2024, Rudi Garcia was keen to highlight the work of Bruno Genesio, who had also cited him as being the one of the notable figures of LOSC over the years: “He’s really this Bruno (laughing).
He is a very good coach and he is doing excellent work at LOSC. They have not only had excellent results in the Champions League, they are also there in the championshiphe insisted. Today's match was important, especially two days before a trip to Bologna.
I am very happy for Bruno and I am certainly not surprised. He did a very good job everywhere he went. I know this well, because I also went to Lyon, to his place. I'm glad to see him here doing a good job. »
Rudi Garcia then spoke about the LOSC squad, in which he particularly appreciates certain elements: “I find that there is a good balance in this LOSC 2024-2025. I have a soft spot for Benjamin André in midfield.
He is still a player who brings balance. They also have a goalkeeper (Lucas Chevalier) of a very, very high level who is already having a very good career, and who will make a huge one. They are well balanced with power behind, talent up front. We are not going to name all the players, but Edon Zhegrova is still a pleasant player to watch play. He's a dribbler and looks like a few players we had in our erahe told us with a little smile.
It's a complete team, young people, very young too, who work very well. This is a well-built team that, in my opinion, will do great things this season. »
