Will we one day see Mathias Pereira Lage in the central defense of Stade Brestois, alongside Brendan Chardonnet? The idea seems far-fetched. However, this is the only position in the field where the Franco-Portuguese has never played in his career. Since Wednesday and the qualification against Nantes in the Coupe de France, he has had yet another string to his bow with a successful performance at the left-back position.
“I never had any doubt about the fact that he was capable of being good in that role,” says his coach Éric Roy. It’s a bit like my Swiss army knife, it plays everywhere. » The versatility of the player trained in Clermont who, then passing through Angers, had discovered the joys of the right corridor in Maine-et-Loire. His first on the left, in Brest, was this time linked to the shortage in the position, following injuries against Lyon to Massadio Haïdara (thigh) and Jordan Amavi (calf).
Already used in the position during the summer, against Laval
“Mathias is a real alternative,” says Éric Roy. It’s very comforting for a coach to have players like that, who are always invested, who always have enthusiasm in training, who are driving forces. And who have quality and can help out at all positions. »
The idea of positioning Mathias Pereira Lage as left back had already germinated in July with the SB29 coach, during a friendly match against Laval well before the current cascade of withdrawals.
“The image of a versatile player is the one I have had since Covid, in Angers then in Brest,” the 28-year-old told Télégramme at the beginning of December. I had watched with Michel (Der Zakarian): I had played ten matches in a row as a starter, but in six different positions (at the start of the 2022-2023 season). »
“The position where I would feel the best would be torchbearer”
Fast, combative and endowed with good technical quality, Pereira Lage fills the boxes of several positions. “I know that the position where I would feel the best with confidence and sequences would be torchbearer,” he explained. I also feel really good on the left wing, I find myself more in the box. I participate perhaps a little less in the set-up game but I am the finisher, the centerer, or the penultimate pass. »
On Wednesday, the backup full-back fully fulfilled his duties. Just like Luck Zogbé, who has only started six times this season. “They both delivered a great performance,” praises their captain Brendan Chardonnet. We knew that the people of Nantes liked one-on-ones on the sides, with Simon on the left, and Thomas then Abline on the right. » Mission accomplished: between them, Moses Simon and Sorba Thomas managed only one dribble and only sent one cross.
Senegal
