A difficult start for the new coach of the Caen team, who lost to Clermont (0-1). A disappointing first result coupled with the anger of Weed supporters, who have not yet accepted the dismissal of their idol, Nicolas Seube.
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Whistles, banners and a disappointing first result. Friday January 3, Bruno Baltazar spent a complicated evening losing one goal to zero against Clermont, a direct opponent for remaining in Ligue 2. Arriving on the bench on December 31, the Portuguese coach, unknown to the general public, did not failed to convince the supporters from the first evening.
Before the match, the 47-year-old man did not hide his dream of coaching in France one day on beIN Sports. A dream come true but certainly not in the conditions he had imagined. As soon as his name was announced, we heard a few whistles in the stadium, in protest after the dismissal of club icon, Nicolas Seube.
During the meeting, protests continued with the release of several banners: “Here, only work and loyalty make legends » or even “Before wanting to shine internationally, respect local figures”, in reference to the ambitions announced by the new owner, Kylian Mbappé.
A victory could have calmed the debates and given him a little more time to be accepted by the supporters, but the scenario of the match was quite different.
The Caennais had two chances in the first half, including one just before the break with an 80-meter counter from Brahim Brahimi. After his solo run, the midfielder lost his duel against the Clermont goalkeeper.
Returning from the locker room, the Normans showed themselves concentrated but “were more afraid of losing than wanting to win”according to their new coach at a press conference. This fear finally materialized with a goal in the 89th minute, in a harmless action where the Clermontois seized the ball allowing Yadaly Diaby to score the only goal of the game.
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At a press conference, Portuguese coach Bruno Baltazar expressed his frustration after the defeat against Clermont (0-1), on January 3, 2025 at the Stade Michel d'Ornano.
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©France 3 Normandy
A first performance far from the objectives announced upon his arrival.
On social networks, comments obviously poured in. Succeeding Nicolas Seube, Bruno Baltazar “expected a reaction from the supporters in the stands” and the judge “normal”. If the new recruit did not shine from his first arrival, she remains convinced that she can reverse this negative trend which is torpedoing the club.
Of course I would like to enter a project with different stability but that is not the case. As a coach, I don't have time to cry. It is my responsibility to change the situation, to win matches, to change the atmosphere, to give something back to make the supporters proud because they are at the heart of the club.
Bruno Baltazar, coach of SM CaenFrance 3 Normandy
For this, the Portuguese intends “restore confidence to players and give them the keys to perform”. These should quickly prove to pay off, because SM Caen is currently 16th in Ligue 2 (15 points), in other words play-offs, with five points less than the last one maintained, which is none other than Clermont (20 points). .
