Munetsi and Stade de Reims in search of “trust and efficiency”

Friday 08th November 2024 10:44 PM

Three defeats in a row cannot dampen the smile of Marshall Munetsi. Aware of the team's delicate situation, just like his coach, the Zimbabwean international (28 years old, arrived in 2019 and under contract until 2027), absent in Toulouse because he is suspended, is not overly worried and is focuses on the imperative need to redress the situation this Sunday, November 10 (5 p.m.) in Le Havre.

How is this series of three defeats experienced in the group?

I watched the Toulouse match. It was the same, in style, as the matches lost at Auxerre and in front of Brest. It's not because we didn't play well, but we weren't effective on our chances. It's a complicated period, we know how to still win matches.

Are you worried?

Not at all, it's football, you win, you lose. At some point, we also have to react, look at the way we lost and improve.

What does the team need to do better compared to the last three matches?

The first thing is to score a lot of goals (…) On the videos, we saw with the coach that, at times, we were fragile. We must adapt. When you score, you win but here, we missed a lot of opportunities to win.

This is due to a lack of rigor, concentration, application…

We tried everything, I think. In Toulouse, Keito (Nakamura) has an 'opportunity' to score (header on the crossbar, 81^e). They weren't very dangerous but they scored.

Your opponents also know that you have had a very good start to the season…

That's it, they watch how we play. For me, it's just confidence. After the (international) break, we lost these three matches, we have to regain this confidence. Like Keito, if he scores, we win behind. But it's up to us to remain solid in defense, when we are, we win a lot.

We must not forget everything we have worked on since the start of the season

Isn't the key to keep a cool head with your good start to the season?

The coaches spoke to us this week, we must not forget everything we have worked on since the start of the season and continue like this. We have a lot of internationals, the fatigue aspect comes into account, it's important after the break. Plus the injuries which may have unbalanced the team.

Because you play a lot, with Zimbabwe too, has your suspension done you any good?

Yes, we discussed it with the coach, selection trips are very tiring. When you look at the two Japanese (Ito, Nakamura), all those hours on the plane, it’s quite complicated. For us in Africa, all matches are finals. (…) Wearing the country's jersey is a special emotion. There, I will play my friend Jo (Joseph Okumu and Kenya, Friday November 15 in Polokwane, South Africa) to try to qualify for the next Can (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026, Morocco).

You will be expected in Le Havre on Sunday…

It is to show character that we play matches like these. With Teddy (Teuma), Ludo (Butelle), we also talk to young people. Where it is difficult, we must show our qualities, together. It wasn't easy last season but we won in Le Havre.

What goal do you have for the team this season?

That would be finishing in the Top 6 – Top 7. Last year, we had the possibility of finishing in the European places but we also had a difficult period. The club has invested a lot with recruits and young people. If we qualify for the European Cups, it will be good for us.

Last year, we had the possibility of finishing in the European places but we also had a difficult period. Why not top 6, top 7?

“Probable” return of Teddy Teuma with Stade de Reims for the trip to Le Havre

By Christophe Devaud

Reims (8^e14 points) will have more forces this Sunday, November 10 in Le Havre (5 p.m.), for this 11^e day, the last before the final international window of the calendar year. To the return from suspension of Marshall Munetsi, refreshed, and Aurélien Buta, should be added that of Teddy Teuma (thigh), who had to skip the trip to Toulouse a week ago.

“We recover the suspended ones, we probably also recover Teddy (Teuma) as fit to be in the group. This is rather good news, we are ahead of the schedule we had set. (…) We are happy to have more solutions now”says this Friday, November 8, at midday, Luka Elsner.

A red coach, “super happy to be back at Stade Océane. It’s a great moment in my career and in my life as well in that sense. I have many good memories there and very good relationships with people I met and really appreciated. The reception of the public? It will be a very positive moment, I think.” A Normandy enclosure where he worked for two seasons (2022-24).

“A vital match for us”

But who will also, obviously, know how to leave affect aside to negotiate this meeting as best as possible “vital for us” (the Stadium remains on three defeats in a row, the last 1-0 in Toulouse on Sunday November 3).

But also for the people of Le Havre, 17^es (9 points). Who play a second match at home after their sluggish but very valuable 1-0 in front of Montpellier – when it comes to the second in a row outside their Reims bases – and recover an almost complete squad, Christopher Opéri and Josué Casimir, being back from suspension. The only thing missing is captain Arouna Sangante (adductors).