Souleymane Diawara: “We won, we played well on the ball, we were beautiful to watch play. People had a great time when they came to the stadium…”

For Angel GRthe former central defender of the Girondins de Bordeaux, Souleymane Diawaralooked back on his time in Gironde, starting with his first season.

“At the beginning, it was difficult. The first three months were catastrophic. I arrive acting like a cock… I hadn't done a good preparation already, and generally you can't have a good start to the season without that. The first three months were catastrophic. As soon as there's a goal, I'm in… My agent told me to deflate my chest… I couldn't play anymore, it was excessive. Even when I scored a match goal, there was something because of me. Then I resumed my bastard life (laughs), I released the handbrake, and I took off like a bomb. The first year, we finished second, and it was already a success, against Lyon… We were in the fight with them, while I was used to playing lower. There, it was the fight for the title, especially against the great Lyon of the time… Then, the second season, we won the Champions Trophy on penalties. I raise my hand to shoot it… I watched the images again, and the guys laugh when I take the ball (laughs). The bastards were dying of laughter, even the commentators (laughs). It was my first trophy with the Girondins, the start of an incredible season.”

Then, he talked about his second season.

“After the 3-0 defeat in Toulouse, it was tense, people got in the middle… From there, 11 victories in a row, and Champion of France. It was an incredible, magnificent, exceptional season on a personal level.”

In any case, “Souley” was part of the famous Bordeaux spine.

“I enjoyed myself… It was excessive. Everyone was pulling in the same direction, that's what made us have a great season. When something was wrong, you could tell the person without them getting offended. Not everyone accepts criticism. We could say whatever we wanted to move the team forward, and that was our strength. We won, we played good ball, we were beautiful to watch play. People had a great time when they came to the stadium, it was always full at Chaban Delmas. It was a treat, I had a blast”

Transcription Girondins4Ever