After a week with two victories, against Presov and Cesson-Rennes, the LH is back in competition this evening. Seif Elderaa's teammates face Benfica Lisbon at 6:45 p.m.
The last week has been demanding, with two long trips and the accumulation of fatigue. Despite everything, you scored a great victory in Cesson. How did you manage these trips, the accumulated fatigue, and this complicated match against a strong Breton team ?
SE: “It was important to win, because our last confrontations against Cesson had not pleased us. We particularly remember this match where, despite a 7-goal lead, we ended up losing without scoring a single goal in the last ten minutes. Last year, it was a catastrophic start that cost us the victory. Playing against them at Glaz Arena is always a challenge.”
“This time, the team was solid, especially in defense. The first period was quite slow, which was reflected on the scoreboard. As the match progressed, the small details made the difference. In the second half, we didn't change anything major: we simply followed the plan established by the coach, and everything went according to plan to achieve this very important victory.
After difficult setbacks against Ivry and Créteil, has the past week been good for the head?
SE: “Of course it feels good, especially after winning two away games while spending a week away from home. We come back with something positive in our bags, and it's a pleasant feeling. However, we must continue to work and adjust what did not work well. In sport, nothing is ever taken for granted: you can be a favorite on paper, but it's always the pitch that decides. We must remain rigorous, not relax our efforts and continue to progress.”
Rback home for an important match in the rest of the European League. Certainly, both teams are already qualified, but what adjustments must be made compared to the first leg in Lisbon to hope to achieve victory?
SE: “When we play two competitions, we have to adapt and change the way we play very quickly, because we face teams with very different styles. In the European Cup, everything changes: the referees come from different countries, the teams have varied characteristics, and it is this alternation between the championship and Europe that we must assimilate well.”
“This match is crucial. We lost 2 points in Lisbon, and it is essential to recover them to start this Main Round well and hope to secure a place in the Play-Offs. Benfica is a very good team, well built, with a lot of mobility and a very aggressive defense. We will have to play to our strengths, avoid losing the ball and convert the easy chances that we were unable to capitalize on in Lisbon.”
Let's talk a little about you. You don't have much time to breathe, between the Olympic Games, club life and the national team. However, you continue to perform well. How do you feel in this intense dynamic?
SE: “The post-Olympic seasons are often delicate. At times, when the head does not follow, you have to force a little, and this can also affect the physique. This carries risks: injuries, poor performances, or bad matches.”
“It is crucial to maintain a good balance, take full advantage of rest periods and manage your efforts to avoid overdoing it and ending up in a complicated situation. For my part, I try to concentrate only on the match to come, without thinking too much about the one that has just ended or those to come. One step at a time.”
You didn't have much respite during the international break, since you went to Egypt. We know that this season is particularly intense, but does this type of stay remain beneficial for you, particularly by allowing you to meet up with your friends and family?
SE: “It’s a real breath of fresh air. Even though we play two matches and train all week, just being back in my country makes me feel like I'm “refueling”, like a car. I’m leaving full of energy.”
“It brings me a lot. I find my parents, my mother's good meals (laughs), and I also take the opportunity to see my former teammates from Heliopolis. Since preparing for the Olympics, I had not had the opportunity to see my friends and family. I missed them a lot, and it felt really good. It’s a big breath of fresh air before going full throttle again.”
It may be a little early to talk about it, but this match is coming quickly: the reception of Tremblay, who is having a very good season. What do you think will be the key to successfully approaching this meeting?
SE: “We have not yet taken the time to analyze this squad in depth to identify its strengths and weaknesses. However, from what I have observed, they are a very fast team, with a different style of play than what we usually find in Liqui Moly StarLigue. For this match, the key will be to defend with intensity, set the pace and show the extent of our talent.”
Speaking of defense, you conceded only 21 goals against Presov and 24 against Cesson. Have you found the right recipe to be so strong behind
SE: “Our defensive scheme is not easy to assimilate, but it is well known to the entire team. We lost Ewan, who was very solid defensively, then Faruk was injured, the absence of Timmy and Nicolas also weighed on us. Sime arrived and had to adapt quickly, which was not easy. You can't expect a player to perform miracles and have the results arrive in the blink of an eye. We fumbled around for a while, because we had to deal with these absences. But it is true that over the last two matches, there was a certain stability with the players present, and good chemistry. When this alchemy is there, with great intensity, it can only work!”
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