Even if the goal was disallowed, you will remain the only Brestois to have sent the ball into the back of the net in Barcelona… Does that still count?
On the stats, no (smile). Afterwards, in my head, it’s sure yes. I finished the action well. I spoke about it with Bruno (Grougi) a little after the match, who said to me: “I think you finished well already, that's a good thing. Save that for later. » The match that followed (against Strasbourg) was successful again for me. This goal makes me feel good too.
This match in Barcelona will still be a moment that you will remember…
It will also depend on the rest of my career. Maybe one day I will have the chance to play in Spain, or even to play in the Champions League again, you never know. But obviously, that season will remain one of the most memorable, because it was the first year I played in Europe. There have already been goals, great things…
You also distinguished yourself against Strasbourg before your good start against PSV. A peak in form that comes at the right time, while injuries are piling up?
Lately, it's true that, compared to what I do in training, I'm finding more confidence in myself and in front of goal, above all. But it's not just me, it's the whole collective which is finding its DNA, this intensity which we had lacked recently, and which the Champions League matches bring us, I think. It perhaps remains a little weaker sometimes in the championship but, what matters is that behind it, we have a collective that works, that does not sulk.
We also support each other with the replacements. The day after a match, this often means being able to get in a good mood when you arrive. That’s a bit of what we, the replacements, relate to. And this means that whenever we are needed, we are there too.
We have the feeling that whatever happens, you never “sulk”, to use your expression…
We know that some perhaps deserve to play more than others, and even when I had a period of four matches without playing, even if I felt in good shape, that doesn't mean I sulked. Afterwards, we also support each other with the replacements. The day after a match, this often means being able to get in a good mood when you arrive. That’s a bit of what we, the replacements, relate to. And this means that whenever we are needed, we are there too.
Would you say that your mindset is one of your greatest strengths?
I have never been a “little shit”. I don't have that in me. Sometimes, maybe I need it on certain points, I think, or certain moments (smile). But it’s true that I have always been in a good mood, in the joy of living. If I don't have that, there is a problem in my life. This is reflected on the pitch, although confidence also comes with playing time and stability. And that often, in training, I am positioned in several positions, which does not allow me to create links with certain people… I adapt perhaps a little too often (smile)…
We come back to this versatility which ends up lacking in you…
This is the image I have had since Covid, whether in Angers or Brest. I had watched with Michel (Der Zakarian): I had played ten matches in a row as a starter, but in six different positions. Afterwards, I moved on, I felt good physically. What can be hard is that one time you play, the next you are a substitute. Sometimes we play two in a row, the other we are a substitute. While moving on feels good.
Do you have this kind of discussions with Éric Roy?
We talked about it at the start of the year, during prep. He told me that he was happy to have a player like me who is always in a good mood, who has great qualities and who knows how to adapt to a lot of positions. This allows him to have several labels and to be able to use me at several times. But as I said, I know that I have this competitive instinct where, from a given moment, I would like to have competition and really enter into that competition.
We understand that we are really in a very comfortable situation in our life. You can't stand up and say, “I'm not playing enough.” »
How do you avoid letting yourself get overwhelmed by frustration?
I can still be angry after a match, but the next day it's gone. We have to come back to work. We have a lot of matches this year. The year will be long. There, we are starting to see that it is starting to pull a little on certain organisms. We know that we're all going to get our playing time, no matter what, at some point. At least until February. Afterwards, we'll see what happens. We must all pull in the same direction so as not to create problems within the group. To move forward and be the most efficient, whether in the championship or the Champions League.
Have you always had this perspective, this wisdom, or did it appear by measuring the luck of being where you are?
Since I signed pro, I certainly realize how lucky I am. I have a brother who was unable to sign pro, who had health problems last year. So, each time, we think differently. Sometimes we take a little blow to the back of the head, but it makes us grow. We understand that we are really in a very comfortable situation in our life. You can't stand up and say, “I'm not playing enough.” » No, go to training, work, show that you can be decisive like the others. And when you get your chance, take it.
