A point on the workforce before the trip to Lens, this Sunday?
“Warren Tchimbembé was operated on for a meniscus on Monday. He had been disabled for some time. He could have continued, but not one hundred percent. We have therefore made the decision to prepare for next season rather than favoring the end of the season since he will be absent for three months. Kévin N’Doram, for his part, resumed training normally. It is nevertheless premature that he is in the group this Sunday. For Opa (Nguette), it’s going to take a little longer than expected. Ibra (Niane) continues his recovery phase. And in Lens, we will miss the three suspended (Alexandre Oukidja, Fabien Centonze and Kiki Kouyaté). »
Do you already have an idea of the formula you are going to adopt and the replacements you are going to make with regard to these suspensions?
“I don’t have just a small idea (smile). In fact, it is very clear in my head. But I won’t tell you. The players themselves do not know it yet … “
Thomas Delaine in the right lane, is this a solution?
“Apart from what we do in training, he doesn’t have a lot of benchmarks on the right side. Thomas is more comfortable on the left but I think he has the ability to play on the right in the future. And for him as for us, it is a plus. It is a real objective to make sure that it performs well in both lanes. “
How do you approach this meeting at Bollaert?
“We are going to play a team in good shape which is having a very good season. It’s always interesting to compete with such training. Beyond the Lens match, the next five matches will allow us to see what we are capable of doing. Because we will meet the best in the French championship. We will face Lens who is very fit, the Lille leader, twice Monaco which is the best team of the year 2021 and Rennes who has talent and who has just changed coaches. “
–
“We need to be more regular”
Is it important to have been able to run and to have won in Valenciennes (0-4) in the Coupe de France before this meeting in Lens?
“Yes because you have to be able to give some playing time so that no one becomes demotivated. When you deserve it. They have put together some great things even if there are always corrections to be made, to be improved. Keeping the group alive is very important. “
Finding FC Metz and RC Lens in such a position at this stage of the championship, is it a surprise?
“We rode two years ago and they last season. From this point of view, yes. These are two teams that are not installed in Ligue 1. We can therefore speak of surprise. But if the two clubs are successful in such a season, it is because there are good players on each side, a good constitution of the squad and a good adhesion to two very clear projects. But also players who are hungry and who invest a lot. “
This match is also important from an accounting point of view: it is about staying in contact with Lensois who are currently three points ahead of FC Metz …
“I don’t calculate like that. You know, sometimes you’re six points ahead and you end up getting caught. And vice versa. To stay there, you have to be good at the game above all. You have to improve in certain areas. We do very good things during matches and then, sometimes, we are very inside. We need to be more regular in our performance while, of course, keeping our qualities. “
–
