By beating Montpellier HSC 2-0 this Sunday, September 22, the ASB U17s secured their first victory this season. Their coach, François Lorente, looks back on his youngsters’ first steps at the national level.
“We had to win to avoid falling into the spiral of non-victory,” says François Lorente, the coach of the ASB U17 Nationals this Monday, September 23. “The boys played a full match, all the ingredients were there, he is satisfied. I don’t know if it’s the Hérault derby effect, or the fact that many tried out in Montpellier and were never selected, but this Sunday we didn’t win because we were lucky, we were better than them.”
After a timid start in the elite of their category, the young Béziers footballers have shown that they have resources. Their coach already senses progress after the first month of competition. “The group has progressed, particularly in its state of mind and in its aggressiveness, he emphasizes. Last season, we were leaders from the first to the last day, we must not forget that. I think it took us these three or four games to understand that we cannot play in the U17 Nationals like in the U16 R1, that we need other ingredients to win games.”
A good defensive base
Especially since there is still a lot of room for improvement for this squad, made up largely of first-year players, who train five times a week. By conceding only four goals, the Béziers team has the best defense in the championship (with one game in hand). On the other hand, with four goals scored, they are also the second worst attack in the championship. “In each of our two away games, we created eight chances, explains François Lorente. We hit the posts, came up against the goalkeeper or missed the target. So we put a lot of emphasis on finishing, whether it was in a set attack or a quick attack. It has already paid off this weekend, the group is learning from its mistakes.”
By trusting the regional champion group last season, the Béziers coach is banking on continuity. He hopes that he will be able to play at this level again next season. “The objective is clearly to maintain, he says. “You must not be too ambitious, or presumptuous. Once you have escaped, you will see what you are aiming for behind it.”
A frantic pace
Back in training since July 22, the young Béziers have a very tight schedule. They will not have any weekend off until December 15. A hell of a pace according to their coach: “That’s a lot, plague François Lorente. It’s going to be five months without rest. We’re going to have to manage this work rate well so that the whole group doesn’t get exhausted. There’s going to be work on management, on coaching.” Next weekend, Sunday September 29, the Biterrois will travel to Villenave-d’Ornon, before hosting Olympique Rovenain and then Olympique de Marseille, on Sunday October 13, at 3 p.m., at the Stade de la Présidente.
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