Interview Luka Elsner (Reims): “Do like Brest? No calculation before March-April”

Luka Elsner, what are your thoughts on the start of the season for your team?

Luka Elsner: I have a positive outlook without being euphoric because it’s still the start of the season. We are happy to be in fourth place and with the style of play produced. The content seems interesting to me. Now, there must be continuity in our services.

During these first seven matches, there were two draws against PSG (1-1) and OM (2-2). This means that you are capable of competing with the biggest clubs in the championship…

LE: This represents a reference. We were also happy to be able to respond in other types of matches, I am thinking in particular of the matches in Angers (1-3) and against Montpellier (4-2). We were able to show all our resources. Afterwards, this does not give us any guarantee for the future even if several sequences of our last matches were able to give us confidence. We must continue to work.

If we had told you before the start of the championship that you would be fourth after seven days, would you have believed it?

LE: I never ask myself this type of question, I’m not in an accounting mindset when I look at the calendar. Our philosophy is to advance week after week and match after match. We’ll see where this takes us. It’s the day-to-day work that interests me enormously. Afterwards, the challenge for us is to try to maintain this position for as long as possible.

Reims made its best start since the 1974-75 season. What does this inspire you?

LE: I’m always happy when my players have the opportunity to get into little moments of history. It’s always rewarding and brings a feeling of pride. But after that, it just remains in the realm of anecdotes and statistics. The history of Stade de Reims is much richer than this small state of affairs.

Europe? It’s way too early to consider this kind of scenario.

How do you explain such a good start to the season at Stade de Reims?

LE: I explain it by the work of the players and the staff but also by this desire to constantly question oneself and to prepare each match with a lot of rigor and energy. Also, we have faith in our abilities and what this group can accomplish. There is also a positive chemistry between the different strata of our workforce. For now, the lights are green. I know how fragile balance can be in football. So we have to keep this flame alive.

Considering the start of the 2024-25 financial year and the quality of your performances, is qualification for the European Cup in the back of your mind?

LE: Absolutely not. It’s far too early to consider this kind of scenario, because we don’t know what the season will be like. We strive to do things in order. We are only on day seven. We are still far from starting with calculations. The calculations won’t happen before March-April. There is still time before asking this type of question. As I said, our energy is spent on a daily basis.

When you see what Brest accomplished last season, might you be tempted to say ‘why not us’?

LE: No, we don’t really compare ourselves to anyone. I am very happy for Brest compared to its performance last season. It was really an incredible adventure for them and they confirmed it quite well by proudly wearing the French colors in the Champions League. It’s great for them, but Stade de Reims is Stade de Reims.

Luka Elsner congratulates Emmanuel Agbadou after Reims-Montpellier.

When you coached Le Havre (2022-2024), we notably found a very solid block behind. With Reims, the team plays the ball very well. Does this style correspond more to your personal philosophy?

LE: I don’t think anyone starts their career with just the defensive phase in mind. We all have an ideal in the game. We all want to give pleasure to the supporters but we also have to remain realistic about what we can achieve. I try to play on these two counts: being very compact to leave little room for the opponent and being creative with our movement players which allow us to be dangerous in a good part of our matches. I am concerned with having a constant balance on the two phases. On our last outings, in terms of offensive creation, it was relatively pleasant for the players, the staff and the supporters.

Last summer, you asked to leave Le Havre to discover another project. Are you satisfied with your first months with Reims?

LE: Yes, I am satisfied, fulfilled and comfortable in my skin. I experienced very strong and beautiful moments in Le Havre but I am happy with the welcome I received in Reims. The group of players wants to respond to requests and shows signs of satisfaction on a daily basis.

It is not easy to set a date for the return of Gabriel Moscardo

Concerning Gabriel Moscardo (on loan from PSG) when will he return to the field and what do you think of his level?

LE: It is difficult to answer on the level part, apart from looking at all the images that we were able to view. He’s certainly a boy who can help us. But with his injury, he fell quite behind in preparation despite his efforts. It is not easy to set a date for his return. It is difficult to imagine a 90-minute sequence in the coming weeks.

After the departure this summer of Yunis Abdelhamid, who was the pillar of the Reims rearguard in recent years, did you have any concerns about the defensive sector when you arrived?

LE: No. I’ve wondered about this but I think you always have to think about the logic behind things. He is a player who has become legendary at Stade de Reims. He left his mark on the club. In modern football, it is rare to have longevity like this (2017-2024) and such a major contribution to the positive development of a club.

The winter transfer window? The club is prepared for any eventuality. Those who deserve career advancement, they will get it

The captain’s armband has changed a lot since the start of the season in Reims (Munetsi, Agbadou and Teuma). How do you explain it?

LE: I don’t understand why we are deviating from the main idea presented by the club that Teddy Teuma is the captain this season. Unfortunately, he was not able to be present at each meeting. Behind him, we have a group of captains who, in terms of hierarchy, are very egalitarian. We don’t have a problem with having some variations. On the contrary, I think it stimulates everyone.

Reda Khadra will be absent for many months due to his injury and several Reims players are shining at the start of the season. Have you already anticipated the winter transfer window?

LE: I think anticipation is a necessity for any club with ambitions. Today, this is happening more at management level rather than at my level because we still have several matches to play before the end of December. Personally, I am happy with the level of performance of the majority of our players. Afterwards, we cannot predict the future. The club is prepared for any eventuality. Those who deserve career advancement will get it. It will be up to us to determine the timing. But I think that many of our players feel good today at Stade de Reims and that they want to have a great season. In any case, I am focused on the next match at Auxerre on Sunday. That’s the only thing that concerns me.