Lille midfielder Benjamin André believes that his team has the cards in hand to get back to the top of the standings. Jocelyn Gourvennec has your workforce for the reception of PSG this Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.) in a full Pierre-Mauroy stadium. This Friday morning, only Bamba, Renato Sanches, David and Weah, the latter two arriving this Friday morning at Paris-Roissy airport, prepared in the room. Deprived of the Coupe de France last weekend, the Mastiffs were resourced four days last week in Spain. Before tackling a copious month of February with the reception of Paris (Sunday) and Metz (February 18), two trips to Montpellier (February 12) and Chelsea (22), defensive midfielder Benjamin André takes stock of the motivation of the northern group. read also Ligue 1 fixtures and results “Why was your four-day internship in Spain the week before necessary?
I’m not sure it was necessary. But he did good. The weather was perfect. The facilities at the top. It gave us a change of scenery. It was another environment. We came back with positives in our minds. We worked well and we are back on the attack. However, it is unusual to cut during the season at the end of January…
It’s the first time in my career. There was this window and no game on the weekend (elimination of the Coupe de France in the round of 16 on January 4). The decision was quickly made. Breaking the routine of a classic week did our heads good. Were you impatiently awaiting the return of your supporters and the end of the gauges?
Obviously. Once again, football is a sharing all the more important that it is accompanied by enthusiasts who will push us. It’s a very nice poster for a homecoming. All the ingredients are there for a great evening. How did you experience the defeat in Brest (1-2, January 22) and the reaction of Burak Yilmaz who was unhappy to leave the field?
It was a setback after doing good things for quite a long streak. This goal scored quickly by Brest (csc de Djalo, 3e) hurts us from the start. Afterwards, we had applied the instructions well in the first period. We had situations but no clear chances. In the second half, Brest tried to close the spaces. We knew it would be a tough match. We hope to start again on a series as long as the previous one. It’s essential. But this episode is behind us. Since then, there has been the internship in Spain. The differences in terms of points are not very important. Now we have to let go of the horses. Regarding Burak, it is settled between him and the coach and it remains between them. He had a discussion about it. It is a character and a temperament that we know. read also League 1 standings “I prefer to play every three days rather than play a match a week” After Lorient, President Létang took the floor to reframe certain things. Was it useful to burst the abscess?
I don’t see an abscess. It may be your outward vision. We stay focused. We work in groups. There is no problem between us. Above all, we are competitors. We are not satisfied with what we produced during our last performances. How are you approaching your big month of February?
It’s only positive. Playing big matches means that we performed well and qualified for the European Cup (round of 16 first leg of C1 on the 22nd at Chelsea). Everyone wants to play against Paris or Chelsea. We are trying to relaunch a good dynamic. Personally, I prefer to play every three days rather than play one game a week. My body needs it. Do you agree that PSG don’t impress in the game?
Every year, I hear that Paris can be taken. But every year, he is ahead in the standings and plays the leading roles. This team has players capable of making individual and collective differences. It is said that there is still a taste of unfinished business but it remains one of the best teams in France and Europe. It will be very difficult. We will have to focus on ourselves to put them in difficulty and win this match. Do you have result pressure?
There are a lot of matches left. If we win all the others after PSG, we will be Europeans. The most regular team will be at the finish. Gourvennec: “Ben Arfa is an axis player”