Lucid in his post-match analysis, manager Frank Azéma quickly highlighted the crucial points of this heavy defeat. And intends to build on that.
If Perpignan ended up giving up in the second half, this can be explained in particular by its long period of numerical inferiority then that the pillar Akato Fakatika was sent off in the 26th minute, due to a dangerous clearance which did not clearly not imposing. Obviously, by letting energy go, the Catalans paid for it in terms of intensity. “It’s already hard, in Toulouse, when you are 15 against 15confirms Franck Azéma. So, obviously… We made mistakes and we were sanctioned, that’s normal. My regret is above all having taken forty. Afterwards, we took two tries in three minutes during the start. Then, once we were reduced to fourteen, there was obviously a lot more space. This is not the face we want to present. There was room to be in the fight longer than we were. Whatever rotations are made, it is the strength of Toulouse, which knows how to be in continuity with what it undertakes.”
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A lesson in efficiency
Paradoxically, the Sang et Or occupied Toulouse’s half of the field for a long time, but returned to the locker room at the break trailing by three points. And did not score a single try in this meeting. A lack of realism with serious consequences. Azéma is aware of this: “In the second half, the Toulouse team fed off every lost ball. They excelled in that area. They were very realistic, and we weren’t. The score is heavy, I think, but that’s the price. As soon as you stray a little and lose the link in your line, you pay cash. They scored every time. […] The bad camp outing at the start of the match (on the second Toulouse test, Editor’s note) hurt us. It’s a gift, a candle in the middle of the field in your arms. They’re just waiting for that and we got sanctioned.”
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An encouraging state of mind
However, the Usap manager does not want to leave Ernest-Wallon without learning valuable lessons from this defeat, facing what is best in France and in Europe. Azéma particularly wants to retain the character of his troops, which will be decisive for the future: “Despite everything, I can’t say that we gave up. The guys didn’t give up. We have to grit our teeth at the moment. There are also positive things, like the scrum which was rather interesting and which allowed us to stay in their camp in the first half But I also remember a post, a ball lost five meters from the line… To be able to put this team in difficulty, he. Should have hit the mark in those moments. was not the case. And with every missed opportunity, you lose a little confidence and they gain some.
Senegal
