Two achievements, the first from a penalty, against Bastia (J24. 4-2 defeat, February 14), the second from a heavy strike under the bar against QRM (J27. 2-0 success, March 5) without forgetting a decisive pass for Nabil Alioui in the victory over Nancy (J26. 1-0, February 26)… On loan from Stade Rennais until the end of the season, Matthis Abline did not miss his debut under the “Ciel et Marine” jersey. But beyond his statistics, what marks when watching him play is this impression that emerges from the field, this sense of appeal, this generosity at all times.
“We have supervised it on many occasions”recalls Paul Le Guen who is full of praise for him. “I am convinced that he will become a very good player. Now he needs playing time, to accumulate Ligue 2 matches. I think everyone will come out a winner: him, us, Rennes”. When he received the proposal from Le Havre, the Angevin by birth assures that he did not hesitate before responding favorably. “I needed to play, the project suited me. I saw that the coach trusted the young people”says the striker (19 at the end of March) who extended until 2025 with his training club just before settling in Normandy. “It frees me from a burden and it proves that the club has confidence in me”.
With him, the offensive animation of the HAC has changed
During his time at HAC, the international in the France U19 team (six goals in nine selections) will have the opportunity to show the extent of his qualities. While Jamal Thiaré will return to the “18” this weekend after almost five months of absence (knee), Matthis Abline seems to have, at least, a head start on Pape Ibnou Ba in the spirit of Paul LeGuen. It must be said that the ex-Niortais may not have had the best idea in the world when he left to play, somewhat to everyone’s surprise, the CAN in January with Mauritania, he the native of Saint-Louis , in Senegal. His most serious competitor could (should) have been Khalid Boutaïb, but he preferred to join Paris FC in January.
Moreover, by passing from the Moroccan international to the promise of Rennes, the Le Havre attack has radically changed its face. “Khalid was more of a fulcrum. Depth was not his game. Matthis goes to 2000. He plays depth. If the ball is a little less good in depth, he can still even catch up with his qualities of speed”, explains Quentin Cornette who launched it last weekend on the opener against QRM. Paul Le Guen is growing enormously in the potential of a new player. “He’s a real striker, attracted by the goal. He has strength, explosiveness, an exceptional strike…”. Without taking the lead, Matthis Abline is ambitious. “I’m concentrating on the next few months with Le Havre. It’s up to me to prove that I’m capable. If the loan goes well, I want to go higher with Rennes”. We can almost regret that the oldest club only benefits from it until May.
> L1. J28 – Le Havre AC (6e – 41 points) / Nimes, (8e – 36 points) Saturday March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Stade Océane.
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