essential
The Fenix coach was very complimentary to his players yesterday at home, after a capital service (31-29).
Danijel, what makes you the most proud after this victory against the second of the championship?
The character displayed by my players to seek this victory. We knew it was going to be complicated. The work week had not been as good as hoped and I did not hide from you that I was a little worried.
The start of the match must have reassured you right?
We start well, yes. The idea was to stay in contact as long as possible. I told players that if we arrived at-2 or-3 at halftime it was not serious. We were therefore in the scenario envisaged (15-17). We planned to accelerate in the second half with more defensive intensity and with some stops from our goalkeepers (Lettens and Möller, editor’s note) we managed to pass.
Montpellier, however, returned five minutes from the term. Have you been afraid at that time?
I feared having taken the lead almost too early (23-20, 42nd). We have experienced a little difficulty in attack but ultimately happened. With so many absent players (Gilbert, Martins Vieira, Robert, Kempf and Käll, editor’s note), it is absolutely admirable what they did.
In this collective recital, Gabriel Nyembo still came from the lot: How do you judge his service?
He was very good in defense as in attack (7/7), really very precious. I would also like to dedicate this victory to Bakary Diallo. He gave his body for everyone tonight (he was injured in the shoulder at the end of the match and will take exams to know the gravity, editor’s note). He does not score goals, does not make passes, he has a role that does not highlight him but he makes the dirty job for the whole team and that deserves all our praises.
These two points allow you to keep your hand in the race for European qualification. How do you see the rest?
We had not necessarily checked these two points, but they will allow us to gain even more confidence. Afterwards, there are four games left and we will see (the Fenix is struggling with Nîmes and Saint-Raphaël for the 4th and 5th qualifying places, editor’s note). There is no point in making projections in relation to the classification or calendar, you just have to keep this state of mind until the end. We can win and even lose against better than us if it happens, but never without fighting.
