Before match 3 of their semi-final, Tours and Montpellier against the challenge of recovery

The faces were marked on Friday evening. More than custom, because the fight was tough between Montpellier and Tours, of course. But also because it was played in trying heat conditions with a Grenon room which turned into a Giga Sauna of more than 3,000 people! And in fact, during the meeting, we saw each break of ice pockets being affixed on the neck of some, or the back of others.

“Everyone is burnt” Summarized in a Corentin Phelut sentence, the Montpellier Libero after this showdown which also lasted more than 2:15 am … However, everyone will have to put it at all costs, this Monday in a decisive match 3, in full explosive logic between two teams which will have to leave everything on the field under penalty of renouncing this ambition which has led them since the start of the season, that of becoming champion of France …

Protocols prepared upstream

It is an understatement to say that as soon as the handshakes exchanged at the foot of the net on Friday, Montpellier and Tourangeaux had only one idea in mind: recovering. With an advantage probably for the VB towers to be able to set up a protocol in its own space, where Montpellier had to manage it while returning to Paris by bus after the match to return Fissa by plane this Saturday morning.

The Héraultais therefore took care to stretch as quickly as possible on the ground. “Recovery started directly after the match. We started collective stretching, before individual care ”described Francis Mombo on Friday evening, the Montpellier Kiné who of course highlighted the keys that are “Sleep”, “food”, hydration “ but also… “The plane: it is a time saving asset and also for organisms, even if there are variations in pressure, temperatures”.

The Tourangeaux will travel by bus this Sunday. But having logically fully recharged the batteries on Friday evening. Everything had been planned by the staff, with a protocol in the event of qualification, and one in the event of a match 3. “We had planned the worst scenario, which arrived,” Confirmed Frédéric Guyomarc’h, the TVB doctor just before Racuju enters the care room and while a bolognese smell spread in the corridor of the Touraine cloakroom… We had planned massages, care, the usual check but also a meal with pasta, rice that players take directly. »»

Lack of equal glycogen “limiting factor”

Because in terms of recovery, time is counted. “Any glycogen stock which has not been recovered within six hours will not be in the three days, specifies Frédéric Guyomarc’h. It is really a limiting factor. If a player does not have enough sugar, he will start in deficit, despite everything he is put on his plate, on his bottle, and may be missing out of his match, physically and mentally. »»

During the match, prevention was also in order. So with everything that could reduce the body temperature of players, whether these pockets of ice or also, if necessary, paracetamol. With also adapted drinks, particularly rich in electrolytes. “That is to say, everything that is sodium, potassium etc., specifies the doctor Tourangeau. As soon as a match lasts more than an hour and a half, two hours have done everything so that from the muscular point of view the players can recover faster. »»

“A consequences in terms of fatigue”

Data that could ultimately be the key in this series. Temperatures are announced more lenient in Montpellier this Monday but those on Friday will “Obviously having consequences in terms of fatigue”to use the words of Alexandre Strehlau. So with 72 hours to erase them, or at the very least minimize them.

The experienced Nicolas Le Goff was well aware of this stake which is played out of the field: “The third match is coming very quickly. We will have to manage on Sunday what we are going to do in training. It will be the same for Tours, and it is not easy for both teams. It is the team that will manage the best that will prevail on Monday. »

And perhaps also to the one who will find in the heads this last ounce of energy …

Annaïck Mainguy with Adonis Neighbor and Julien Hold

Match 3: Montpellier – Tours, Monday May 5, at 8 p.m. Live on beIN SPORTS.