On February 22, 2020, a year ago to the day, RC Lens of Philippe Montanier took the water at home against Caen (1-4). This defeat then sealed the fate of the blood and gold coach, replaced by Franck Haise three days later. Facing the Normans, Steven Fortes had lived a dirty afternoon. Then crystallizing the big defensive gaps of a Racing which got lost from match to match, the former Toulousain, struggling at the start of 2020, was taken in by Bollaert-Delelis. On social networks, the defender had the notifications whistling.
This summer, he clearly said that he had ” no chance to exist in this team in L1 “If he reissued services like those delivered in winter 2020. Calm, serene, hardworking, he has never doubted his ability to return to a more usual level for him. Appreciated by the group, he accepted his status, that of a player barred by the Gradit-Badé-Medina triplet but ready to jump at every opportunity that arises to bring his stone to the building. ” I scratch the playing time that I can scratch, he smiled on Sunday after his team’s victory against Dijon (2-1). Obviously, starting the season as a substitute for a team, when you were still captain a year before, it feels weird. But I did not give up. Today it pays off. I am really happy to belong to this group. »
“Not a revenge”
With 14 games played since the start of the season in all competitions, including 12 as a starter, Steven Fortes, who can help out at the three axial positions, is a player who counts in the artesian workforce. « I don’t see it as revenge on the critics, he assures. Because the reviews a year ago were deserved. Today I am at my level. At 28 years old, he takes a full bite in this Lensoise season which never ceases to laugh. ” How do I explain our good results? By our cohesion. We have a very efficient staff. We work really well. Often our training is harder than the matches. »
Arrived in Lens in January 2019, Steven Fortes relishes the course of his club and does not really want to look in the retro. His appetite is even growing. ” Frankly, this is the first time that we have talked about maintaining between us, after the match against Dijon. Are we talking about a possible European qualification? When we talk about it, it’s really on the tone of a joke. Afterwards, if we stopped today, we would be in Europe. Nobody could have thought that at the start of the season. »
The match against Caen is only one year old. But it seems to belong to a very distant past. As much for Racing as for its defender.
– .
