Mathieu Michel (VAFC): “I liked the Valenciennes opportunity”

After Jean Louchet’s injury, the VAFC was loaned by AC Ajaccio Mathieu Michel. The new Valenciennes goalkeeper spoke about his arrival.

« I came for the challenge, the sporting side and the goal in sight this season, which is interesting. I was hungry to get back on the field, not just anywhere. I still had one year of contract at Ajaccio, where things were not necessarily going well, in a particular context. I wanted to go back to something where I could bring my “modest” experience, without any pretension, and find a real pleasure in playing. I liked the Valenciennes opportunity. It’s going down a level, of course. It’s also coming to help a club where I have always enjoyed coming to play, to achieve its objectives.

There is a fervor here. Valenciennes is a club that speaks, we see the world in the stadium. I’ve always played football for the show side too, I love it. I love match atmospheres and that’s what I was sorely missing in Ajaccio. I had lost a little this notion of pleasure. I think it’s the right context and the right project to flourish again. There is also a feeling of revenge, when you leave a complicated situation. Even at 33, I’m still hungry. I can’t wait to get started, really. »