How do you assess your first months in France?
When I arrived, I immediately felt very good in this club. I am delighted to play here. In addition, I scored in my first match (against Dijon, editor’s note), which helped me gain confidence. We’re having a good season, we’re training hard, and I’m sure we can move up to Ligue 1. I think my game is pretty good in this first season, but I think I’ll be better next year.
By the way, how did you end up in Bordeaux?
During the summer, I had a touch with Lorient. The leaders had called me, had told me that they wanted me, but, without my knowing why, it didn’t. Then my agent Mamuka Jugeli (influential Georgian agent, who also defends the interests of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Editor’s note) told me about Bordeaux. He convinced me that it was a good idea to go there. I already knew that it was a very good club.
In Ligue 2, there are only good teams, you can’t come in like that and easily win 6-0.
Your coach Willy Sagnol coached Bordeaux from 2014 to March 2016. Did you discuss the Girondins with him before coming?
Yes of course. He told me about Bordeaux, told me it was a good team. He also helped me in my choice. But it was really Mamuka, my agent, who managed this transfer.
What are the differences between Georgian D1 and Ligue 2?
The Georgian league is at a good level, but League 2 is superior due to the intensity and high speed of the game. There are only good teams, you can’t just come in and win easily 6-0. All the matches are very difficult, until the end of the 90 minutes. I think that’s the big difference with the Georgian championship.
IT’S FINISH ! The Girondins impose themselves with courage against Caen. Zuriko Davitashvili is the only scorer of the game (16′).
1⃣-0⃣ #FCGBSMC pic.twitter.com/X8nqXI0iJf
– FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) May 6, 2023
How do you manage to communicate with your teammates?
It’s a bit difficult, since I don’t speak French. But I manage in English, so I can chat with my partners and understand the coach’s instructions. It’s easier with Danylo Ignatenko, who is Ukrainian and speaks Russian. We already went to the restaurant once or twice together. I also have some affinities with Alexi Pitu, who arrived this winter. But it will be better when I can speak French. Right now, I’m taking lessons.
You know how to say a few words, anyway?
yes i can say « bonjour », « How’s it going », « to the left to the right » (he pronounces them in French, Editor’s note)but that’s all. (Laughs.)
Does it allow you to enjoy life in Bordeaux?
In Georgia, I have my family and my friends, so it’s easier for me to be there. But I live well in France, even if I am often at home. Well, it’s true that sometimes I go for a walk in the center of Bordeaux, which I really like. It is a very pretty town. My favorite area, I really think, is downtown, because it has everything, including restaurants and shops. It’s very pretty and I love to walk there.
Is your girlfriend with you in Gironde?
Yes, she is still with me. She likes it here, she likes to come to the stadium to see me play, she appreciates the atmosphere created by the fans. In addition, there are plenty of things to do in this city! We often go to dinner at the restaurant, go shopping, and it’s great.
You must know Georgian wine well, but have you ever tried Bordeaux wine?
No not yet ! But I know it’s a very good wine, I’ll taste it soon.
In rugby, my style of play was simple: take the ball and run as fast as possible!
What do you do when you’re not at the club?
I love to play basketball. But here, I don’t know where I can go, where is a room to play, I don’t have an address. I also like go-karting.
So you watch the NBA?
I look at her, yes! My favorite team is Golden State. And my favorite player, of course, is Stephen Curry.
You talk to us about basketball, but above all we have the impression that in Georgia, the king sport is rugby.
I think today the most popular sport is football. But rugby is still very popular! The upcoming World Cup will be very popular in the country. Me, I watch all the matches of the national team, I know the rules, I like it. When I was young, I used to play there sometimes. My style of play was simple: take the ball and run as fast as possible!
By the way, what childhood did you have?
Honestly, everything has always revolved around football in my life. I started very young, at five years old. I was always with my ball, whether at home or elsewhere… I sometimes skipped school because I spent my time training. My father is a former footballer, so he supported me a lot, gave me advice on how to play better, told me to eat well, sleep, be professional… He was even my coach at Dinamo Tbilisi for two years (see So Foot of April 2023, Editor’s note). Afterwards, he left to take care of another team. But he always helped me.
Was it in this club that you met Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?
We met at Dinamo Tbilisi ten-eleven years ago. Afterwards I went to Lokomotiv Tbilisi, he to Rustavi, but we ended up at Rubin Kazan. We are still talking, we are together in selection too. We are very good friends, very close.
Were you better than him at the start?
Hmm, saying that doesn’t please me very much! He was already very good at it. I was no better than him, that’s not true. But when I beat him at the Playstation, he always gets mad!
Do you call him Kvaradona too?
I always call it Kvara, or Khvicha. Kvaradona, no.
The Girondins resist Caen and secure their second place
#beat #Kvara #Playstation #angry
