Shis victorious 40-meter lob in Saint-Malo on November 23 (1-1) gave him a national spotlight. The aura of the Girondins highlighted the performances of Soufiane Bahassa, who will play his fifteenth match this season (one goal, 5 assists) and did not surprise many people in the department. “This opportunity is great for him,” says Pierrick Landais, who launched him at the senior level in the family stronghold in Langon (2013-2014). “What he does and what he did in Libourne last season (5 goals, 9 assists in N2) is not surprising. He is technically good, knows how to make others play, has volume and personality” praises Jean-Luc Gautier who managed him at Lormont (2014-2017) then at Lège-Cap-Ferret (2020-2022).
Before arriving at Matmut Atlantique, the 30-year-old winger explored the grounds of Gironde, from the DHR (R3) to the N2. For his former coaches, there is an after and a before Moroccan adventure in his career, where he discovered professionalism with ups and downs at Mouloudia d’Oujda then at Kenitra AC (from 2018 to 2020). Before, he was this talented kid with enthusiasm “to channel” remembers Pierrick Landais. “I got the team back after three consecutive relegations. We were rebuilding. I know his parents, his brothers. He was still a “baby” with his technical finesse, his ability to eliminate but the difficulty of making the right choice. Above all, he had a lot of temperament.”
“He has become more demanding”
From the following season, “Souf” however moved up two notches to join his elder Yassine at Lormont in R1. “In this context, he was not mature. He performed well but was not very reliable over time. His departure to Libourne did him good” points out Jean-Luc Gautier. Laurent Dauriac welcomes him, in N3. “He had, without being pejorative, the neighborhood technique: a very good foot, very strong on set pieces but not always oriented towards the collective. He was enjoying the game,” points out the technician, who closely follows N2 matches to return to the circuit after a two-year break. “His time in Morocco transformed him. »
“Soufiane needs to be in a very specific framework”
Jean-Luc Gautier, who recovered it in Lège after the North African exile, confirms. “He was more attentive. Soufiane is a dribbler, a game leader but he needs to be in a specific environment to give the best of himself. Otherwise, he risks engaging in actions that are not always constructive. » His second visit to Libourne (2022-2024) marked a real milestone, in N3 then N2. “I knew him as a teammate six years ago, he was carefree, not demanding enough,” says Simon Adoue, who found him as a coach with the Penguins. It has become very complete. He assumed his role as a manager, with this ability to impact, to make differences, a big VAM (maximum aerobic speed, Editor’s note). »
Everyone praises his versatility on the entire left side (winger, piston and even full-back), sometimes in the axis “with his intelligence to place himself between the lines” says Laurent Dauriac and now on the right with Bruno Irles at the Girondins. “If he had had the maturity he has now at 25, he would be in L2” says Simon Adoue, close to the young father.
“Be more decisive”
Enough to harbor regrets at not having followed in the footsteps of Yassine who experienced this level with QRM and… Irles? “No,” said Pierrick Landais. The walk with the N1 is long. You have to have the mental and physical baggage, a little luck. The opportunity to seize is perhaps there, with the Girondins. » “It’s a question of meeting people, of the trust we give,” replies Laurent Dauriac. Unfortunately, in France, we prefer power profiles. But it’s not over. He is unpredictable and I would be careful not to say that he is at the maximum of his possibilities. »
Jean-Luc Gautier encourages him to be “more decisive. » “Against Saint-Brieuc (0-0), he had a good match but he missed this pass, this goal” says the former Girondins midfielder, convinced that his ex player will contribute “maximum”. “He is comfortable in his own skin, with a coach who has experienced the high level. He’s going to hang on. »
The match
La Roche Vendée (13th/11 pts) – Girondins (6th/18 pts), this Saturday 6 p.m. Henri Desgranges stadium in La Rochee-sur-Yon.
The match
After the draw against Saint-Brieuc (0-0), the Girondins are under pressure not to watch the leader Saint-Malo, who welcomes Avranches (2nd), fly away. After a complicated start to the season due to squad renewal and injuries, La Roche Vendée is doing better, with a Cup qualification in Orléans (N1, 1-1, 4-2 tab) and a draw against Bourges (1 -1). “They are solid, have athletic qualities up front, at home on an unexceptional pitch. We will have to be there for 90 minutes this time and not 45” says coach Bruno Irles, who has his full group.
