Nicolas Vouilloz: “In Basel, we wait for Servette firm”

ThoseShock at the top J-2 –Nicolas Vouilloz: “In Basel, we wait for a firm foot, me first”

The ex-garnet defenseman has been in FC Basel for a year. He has known everything, confidence, as today, and doubts. He tells before Sunday’s match.

Posted today at 7:57 a.m.

• Nicolas Vouilloz left Servette for Basel in January 2024.
• In Basel, he alternated between holders and forgotten. He is back to business this spring in defense.
• He talks about the shock at the top of this Sunday at the Saint-Jacques park and what awaits Servette.

Nicolas Vouilloz, we imagine that FC Basel is fine, with a cup final to play and the leader’s place in Super League: how serene are you?

There is an incredible craze, again, around the club. At the stadium, in town. A few years ago, it was the largest club in Switzerland. And we will take everything we can take this season, for our fantastic supporters.

Sunday is precisely the shock at the top against Servette …

Yes, it’s a very important match, it’s clear. You can put Nine points in the event of a victory. This will not mean that everything will be played, there will still be four games, but it would be a good thing.

Servette, it was the club that formed you and that you left for Basel a year ago and a few months, after having extended your contract in Geneva in the fall of 2023, but with a clause allowing this departure at low cost for the Basel. How did you experience this?

What is in the past remains in the past. I would probably have liked that, in form, things happen differently. But finally, everyone found their account there, I think.

We could have said that it was in Geneva that you should have settled in an indisputable holder, before going to see elsewhere, right?

Yes, but in the months preceding my departure, I was precisely not holder. I also had the idea of ​​getting out of my cocoon, to see what I was worth elsewhere than in Servette, to set new challenges. And when the FCB comes to type at your door, with a solid sports project for you, I believe that any young Swiss footballer can only ask the question.

If it all started well in Basel, where you immediately holded, things got complicated afterwards: an alternation between periods when you were on the ground and others when you were no longer taken into account. Difficult to manage?

There were ups and downs, yes. A knee injury, a small ankle. We manage more complicated periods as we can. I did not let go. I questioned myself, faced with the choices of the coach, I worked a lot so that we count again on me, as now.

Did you speak directly to Fabio Celestiniwhen he didn’t use you anymore?

Yes of course. The content of these discussions will remain between him and me, but he was able to tell me what he expected from me, giving me advice. Afterwards, it is on the field that it is played out. When you have the opportunity, you have to seize your luck.

How do the Basels see Servette?

Everyone knows that garnet can hurt. There are individuals, an ability to be dangerous in transition. A few months ago, teammates could still ask me for advice, as I know the team well. But no longer: we know each other, we know the qualities in both teams. We know that it will not be a simple match, that it can be played on details, but we are serene, in confidence.

Is Basel confidence the Shaqiri effect?

He is an incredible player, who walks on the championship, who may have nothing to do in Super League, with his qualities, but who is there with us. After a time of adaptation and upgrading, in terms of rhythm, it shows the path. He unlocks situations, with passes that he alone is able to see.

And he brings a victor’s mentality?

Of course, yes. It brings a requirement. During the matches, of course, and everyone can see it. But during training too. For us, for me who is a defender, it is enriching to try to play against him, during the oppositions. On a daily basis.

This is also why you are a favorite, for this Sunday shock and for the title of champion, expected since 2017 for Basel?

Yes, we are favorites. We are in the lead, with six points ahead of Servette, so it makes sense to assume this role, even if there are other candidates, like Servette precisely. When you sign in Basel, you must be able to carry these ambitions when they arise. A year ago, it was more complicated for FCB. Today, Basel is there and there.

Nicolas, you are surely still in contact with several players from the Servette FC. How is it between you, before this shock at the top?

In Basel, we wait for a firm foot, me first. But yes, I still exchange with some ex-garnet co-team. Mainly with Alexis Antunes and Jérémy Guillemenot. We stay close, we will always be close. But on Sunday, on the field, they will be time for the opponents’ match. So no gifts!

Did you send you small spikes for shock?

We connect, that’s for sure. But with respect.

A word for this Servette and its supporters?

It was my greatest pride to wear the garnet jersey. A page turned, I will never forget Servette. But we’re going to do everything to get to Basel Basel this Sunday.

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