the essential
Undefeated after four days of the championship, co-leaders of the Starligue tied with PSG who are only one goal ahead of them on goal average, Toulouse have had a perfect start to the season. Nemanja Ilic, their captain, talks about this situation that he and his teammates are relishing.
Toulouse supporters can’t believe their eyes since the end of the weekend. After four days of the championship and as many victories, Fenix Toulouse shares first place with Paris Saint-Germain, only trailing the Parisians by a single goal on goal average. A situation which also delights the Fenix players but who are not overly enthusiastic as their captain, winger and scorer Nemanja Ilic, explains to us.
Nemanja, how do you feel about being co-leaders of the Starligue with PSG after four days?
It’s quite nice. But to stay at the top as long as possible, we will have to continue to be good. We don’t see that often, so we take advantage of it.
In fact, you probably hadn’t imagined such a start to the championship.
It’s true, we hadn’t necessarily thought of such a scenario. Winning everything in September (Tremblay, Dunkirk, Nantes and Limoges, Editor’s note), it didn’t seem easy. But here we are, we did it. We laugh about it a little among ourselves but we also know that a season is very, very long. There are a bunch of matches left and what’s more, the European League is coming (October 8, Editor’s note). But I admit, seeing the Fenix up there is nice.
One thing is certain, we can clearly see that your team is gaining strength from week to week. Do you confirm?
Yes, the team is progressing. The preparation wasn’t really that but there, with each match, it’s better and better with the new players adapting to our team and the French championship.
You too, on a personal level, have had a thunderous start to the season (31 goals at 80% success), you were even elected in the “7 of the week” by the NHL thanks to your 11 goals against Limoges.
Yes, I’m not going to complain. Hopefully it lasts. I know that I must continue to work to improve because nothing is set in stone or acquired.
Friday, you receive Créteil. With the current euphoria it could be the perfect trap match, right?
It’s a bit like that indeed. After the victories against Nantes and Limoges, it will not be easy. But we have grown in recent seasons, we know how to manage these situations better. We know that we will have to maintain our level of demands.