Having experienced a catastrophic season fighting for maintenance, Stade Français Paris is hoping to carry out a more convincing exercise. This is why Gonzalo Quesada hopes for great team cohesion.
How to overcome roadblocks to fight for maintenance? Stade Français fans could ask themselves the question that Gonzalo Quesada answered:
” Finish 6th during the 2020-2021 season the step was too high and for us everything went quickly. Last year we had a fairly short preparation with players absent because of nationals or injuries. All this made us start the season badly, with three defeats. From the third on, we spent the rest of the championship under pressure. “
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The Stade Français needs a breath of fresh air
Racing 92 beat Parisian neighbor Jean Bouin (21-36). The Parisians were then overthrown by Bordeaux-Bègles (37-10) and Toulon (38-5). To avoid another disappointment after this 11th place and unsuccessful away matches, despite these two victories, with a point of advantage, against Perpignan (7th day: 22-23) and Toulouse (13th day: 28-29), but especially 11 defeats in 13 games, the Parisian staff analyzed all these details on which the players have to work for the next exercise, the preparation of which still started very badly …
Quesada: “Work in silence and stay humble”
After losing important players, such as Waisea Nayacalevu, who left for Toulon, or Ngani Laumape released from the contract, bad news was added: the injury of Telusa Veainu, the Tongan international with a cruciate ligament injury and absent for at least six months . To replace them, the Stade Français went in search of players, with an atypical profile, who best represented the image of the club.
” We tried to strengthen the team with players with a certain mood and character for a good team cohesion. ” The players mentioned are mainly experienced players, notably Mickael Ivaldi and Morgan Parra, assisted by young aspiring players, including Biarritz Nuggets, Lucas Peyresblanques and Mathieu Hirigoyen.
” Young people, like Lucas (Peyresblanques) or Matthieu (Hirigoyen), are hungry and come with ambition. Players Experienced players, including Morgan Parra, have experience in the Top 14. With all this recruiting, we were able to create a mix of players with the character and mood desired for team cohesion. ” insists the coach of the Stade Français.
With this workforce, the ambitions of Parisians are very clear: to work and stop putting the cart before the horse. The word humility often comes out of Gonzalo Quesada’s mouth.
” Seeing 10 teams finish ahead of us last season, we must work in silence, remain humble and let the pitch do the talking. Everyone will fight and give themselves the means to get into the Top 6. The first day, at home against Clermont, the former Parra club, will tell more about the potential of the Soldats Roses.
The rookie: Hirigoyen with the flaps of the best
After seeing his training club, Biarritz, move to Pro D2, Mathieu Hirigoyen chose to leave to continue progressing. Courted by several clubs, including Lyon and Toulon, the 3rd line decided to join, for three years, the French Stadium, which had to dissolve it from the contract, with that of the other Biarritz, Lucas Peyresblanques, spending about 1 million EUR .
Mathieu Hirigoyen played 25 Top 14 games for a try. He is considered to be one of the best tacklers in the league. Good news for the rather weak defensive sector of the Stade Français.
Kevin Thube
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