How do you feel about this first day and this defeat against Guingamp?
“It’s a bad evening in terms of results but I’m happy to be in this competition again which, sportingly, is well deserved, I want to make it clear. There shouldn’t have been so much procrastination for 62 days. I also want to have a thought for Sochaux, we could be in their place. Tonight, we played a team that put us in physical and technical difficulty. We matched for a good hour. The turning point is when we don’t conclude our 2-0 ball. We crumbled a little at the end but grant us that the last 72 hours have been very special. »
How complicated have the last few days been?
“I haven’t changed one iota on what I said the day after or the day after the last game. I am very happy that FC Annecy finds itself in L2 and it is sportingly deserved. In terms of recruitment, it’s complicated because the players we had targeted at the end of the season went elsewhere because we couldn’t guarantee them anything. We will try to improve the workforce while working with those who are there and give satisfaction. But we’re 62 days late. Nothing is easy for us, moreover, in a beautiful Ligue 2 which looks like a Ligue 1 bis. It’s up to us to be smart. »
What are FC Annecy’s ambitions this season?
“FC Annecy will already prepare for the next match. We have until the end of August to improve the squad and we will progress match after match. The lesson for next season is that you shouldn’t make too many predictions. Sometimes there are hazards…”
Does the score hurt your head tonight?
“Honestly, do you think I’m going to have a headache?” No. I signed up (Editor’s note: he extended until 2026). Everyone knows that I like it here and that I believe in the project. But I haven’t forgotten and I won’t forget. It’s important to be able to look at yourself in a mirror. We have to fight on the pitch with dignity and that’s what we’re going to do. Even now officially much earlier, we knew that this second season was going to be difficult. But no, I don’t have a headache. On the other hand, it made me lose this childish, naive side, which means that sport is played with rules. But now I understand. I took the time, you tell me. »
>> Relive the defeat of Annecy against Guingamp in direct conditions
How did you experience the episode of your captain Bissenty Mendy who never returned to training?
“I learned a lot this summer. Humanly too. But the main thing, and that’s why I’m happy to be in this club with people who are in this profile, because you have to be able to look at yourself in a mirror in the morning. That’s all. For the rest, good luck to everyone. I have an expression: “I don’t hold a grudge but I don’t forget”. There is a nuance. But now, we finally have to talk about football. It is the most important. »
You used a 4-4-2 system for this first day…
“It was more of a 4-2-3-1 but it’s the same, I adapt to certain things. There are those who left, those who are there but who were on the bench because they are injured. And others because they have a headache. Uncertainty gives them a headache, you have to deal with it. Now we are going to make sure that everyone is ready and I have confidence that we will be able to get there to get the first points. You have to show personality, courage also in these moments, no worries with that. »
Right-back Thibault Delphis made his professional debut on Saturday. What did you think of it?
“He is one of the people who don’t have a headache, people who want to impose themselves. The challenge is high. He benefits from the situation, clearly. But I did not hesitate to put it on because it gives the maximum. It’s not like he has 100-150 pro games obviously but we have to start. I am very satisfied with his state of mind like Zak (Bengueddoudj). What they showed during the preparation, their state of mind, was excellent. »
