Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365: published on Sunday November 24, 2024 at 2:36 p.m.
In Le Havre since the summer of 2023, Russian midfielder Daler Kuzyaev finally spoke to journalists.
This Sunday afternoon (kick-off at 5:00 p.m.), an important match at the bottom of the rankings will pit Antoine Kombouaré's FC Nantes (14th) against Le Havre (17th), two clubs separated by just one point. In a particularly negative spiral, the Norman club remains on 7 defeats in 8 matches. The situation is clearly not good and Didier Digard had to look for resources during the international break to remobilize his men. The Le Havre coach had to speak in particular to Daler Kuzyaev who spoke for the very first time to the press on Friday. This has never happened before since the Russian's arrival in the summer of 2023. Stade Océane was therefore treated to a small event.
Kuzyaev: “I have a lot of pleasure being here at HAC”
In impeccable French, the 31-year-old midfielder, who was the only member of the HAC to have never appeared in front of journalists last season, whether before or after a match, spoke about himself for a little more of 15 minutes shortly after his coach's press conference. “I integrated into French life. I really like the city, the country, the culture and the people around me. The first months were a bit difficult. I had no apartment, no car and I had some problems with administrative documents. Now everything is fine. I have a lot of fun being here at HAC. The level in France is very high, more than in Russia. I discovered a very physical championship. It’s a challenge for me and I love it,” detailed Kuzyaev, who left Russia and its championship for the first time during the summer of 2023.
He wants to “stay in France”
The one nicknamed “the Tsar” does not play much in Le Havre, he who played many Champions League matches and also played in the World Cup. “It’s true that I haven’t had much playing time this season. You have to respect the coach's decisions. I work every day and stay positive. The team is going through a bad patch recently but I think it is possible to reverse the trend for me and for the team,” says Kuzyaev soberly, who must “increase my physical density and go faster.” “With my experience, I have to be someone who takes more responsibility on the ground. I have to be a player capable of bringing confidence and energy to my teammates. » He wants us to “perceive him as a good person above all, as someone friendly. Then, I want the club to stay in Ligue 1. There are 23 games left to do that. We are capable of it. Finally, I hope I can stay in people's memories by scoring great goals. » Formerly of Zenit Saint Petersburg and Terek Grozny, Daler Kuzaiev has 50 caps and 3 goals with the Russian selection which has not played an official match since November 14, 2021. It was said that Zenith had tried to do so return last summer but the midfielder wants to “stay in France”.
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