Arrived as leaders in this second phase, the Chartrains, without the slightest success after seven matches, did not imagine living such an ordeal. The meetings follow one another and look alike for this team which no longer finds the way to victory and, worse, piles up the injured. Faced with Rueil, this evening, as against La Rochelle (73-81) on Friday, the CCBM will play further reduced.
“I don’t even know how many defeats we are anymore…”
Moonir Bernaoui (inside the CCBM)
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Mounir Bernaoui (24), the only valid interior – the two pivots Patrick Clerence (ischios) and Valentin Mukuna (knee) are out while strong winger Federico Ucles (aponeurosis) will still have reduced playing time – will still have to ensure under the panels. “It’s complicated, says the Franco-Algerian. With injuries, not everyone can really play at their position, but we have no choice, ”adds the one who has the most matches played with leader Kévin Thalien this season (33) with playing time. average of 22 minutes.
“We knew that this second part was going to be tough, that we would have to raise our level a bit more, but with so many absentees… I don’t even know how many defeats we are on…”
The seventh defeat of Chartres in high hen
Despite the setbacks, the pleasure remains intact, as underlined by veteran Samir Mekdad (35), who must make up for the absence of Yann Siegwarth (ankle). “On a field, I am the happiest. Playing more than his usual playing time, I won’t complain. But, frankly, I’m tired of losing, “says the former leader of Rouen (ProB) who, one evening, with a big victory in Boulogne-sur-Mer (66-91) at the end of January, let go: “Since my arrival at the club in November, the team is winning victories and it feels good (note: in ten matches played, Mekdad had been successful eight times)…” But that time is long gone and today, the manpower has shrunk to a trickle.
Samir Mekdad: “I can’t wait to get back”
The CCBM now only runs on seven players, instead of eleven, sometimes twelve. “When you know that you’re going to stay on the floor for more than 30 minutes, some manage to save themselves to keep up their strength, I have a little trouble, that’s why I end up a little on the kneecaps . In order not to be totally burned, time-outs taken by the coach or stoppages in play, such as on free throws, are welcome to be able to breathe, ”explains Bernaoui.
Nevertheless, for this crew washed out by the vagaries, there are still three matches to be delivered (after Rueil, receptions from Angers and Poitiers), before the play-offs. “We are not yet focused on these play-offs, Bernaoui Cup. We must finish this second phase as best as possible for the city, the club, our supporters. “We take match after match. The atmosphere, despite the results, remains good, continues Mekdad. We must try to find a collective and, by then, a few players, to prepare well for the play-offs. And above all, we can’t wait to get back! For tonight in Rueil?
RUEIL (Hauts-de-Seine), this Tuesday April 12 at 8 p.m.
CCBM : Fardin, Thalien, Bouloukouet, Ucles (Esp), Doumbia, Bernaoui, Mekdad, Békoulé-Ekambi, Sencanski (Ser).
Jean-Andre Provost
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