Group update
"Ludovic Blas is in great shape. He took part in yesterday's session, on Tuesday, and he was very good. He felt good on Wednesday. In terms of intensity, he digested the session well. Ayanda Sishuba had a minor hamstring problem before the Le Havre game, so he's not available.
Nantes' philosophy of play
"Against Marseille, they were pressing. Against Nice, they went for the high points at times too. They're not a team that just defends for 90 minutes. Every match has its own scenario, but we're thinking that we'll have a bit more space than we did against Auxerre. They have the ability to open up, to have flashes of brilliance that stretch them from time to time. We need to be able to exploit those moments.
« As a coach, it's very exciting to experience this at Roazhon Park. »
A home derby
"As a coach, it's exciting to experience this at Roazhon Park. Our supporters have been lucky enough to see a lot of goals away from home, but maybe not enough at home, and that's a challenge for us too. We want to give our supporters a wonderful evening and they deserve it. These matches are a little more prestigious in terms of the fixture and the history, and we're aware of that. You have to understand how important this derby is in people's hearts. I've been lucky enough to experience some very intense derbies, notably Newcastle v Sunderland. The aim isn't to make this kind of match different, but there's a different sensibility and a desire to have a great evening.
A derby to keep the group under pressure
"The fixture means that everyone has to focus on their work. The Le Havre match shows that everyone is concerned. I'm thinking of Andrés Gómez. His goal is a real boost because he can see that nothing is closed down. The team approach is predominant in everything we do. We want to be fair in our choices.
« you have to realise what Adrien brings to the team. »
Adrien Truffert's role
"If you look at performances in relation to position, you have to realise what Adrien brings to this team. He's the player who produces the most high-intensity runs in Ligue 1. He is exceptionally reliable defensively. He makes very few mistakes, whether in terms of positioning or recovery. Adrien is hugely important, he's my captain, he embodies the values of the club and he also has everything I think is necessary for a great football career. With Adrien, I see myself as the ultimate professional, a player who never gets injured, who works 200% every day and who is unfailingly reliable. A statistic is also the ability to make a penultimate pass, to move a team forward. When I look at Arnaud Kalimuendo's last goal, it was thanks to Adrien's run and the quality of his cross. It may not be seen as a decisive pass, but for me it's a very important part of our game. Adrien gives me complete satisfaction.
Adrien Truffert
The derby of the season at Roazhon Park
"I'm not the only player who knows about this derby, but the aim is to instil the importance of this match for the club. The dressing room knows that it's going to be a big game. We're going to give it our all because we know how important it is for the fans, the owners, the directors and the employees. You don't play a derby, you win a derby.
« It was the first time we'd played in such an atmosphere. »
His memories of derbies
"There have been many. My greatest? When I was at youth level, at Nantes. I think we won 5-1 there, with their kop as well. It was the first time we'd played in an atmosphere like that. We weren't used to it, as you can imagine. It was the best! It was in the U19 Nationals, but we'd lost to them the following week in the Gambardella. But there was no kop, that's why! (laughs)"
Are you confident of staying up?
"Before Le Havre, we didn't want to put any pressure on ourselves to stay up. We're not looking at the points, we really want to try and improve the content of our games.
His matches since the arrival of Habib Beye
"Generally speaking, we're playing better, and I think personally too. We're enjoying ourselves more as a team. We have more control of the game, even if we sometimes play more on the counter-attack, as we did at Le Havre. The facts of the game meant that we had to play them. We had more possession and created more chances. It goes without saying that the pleasure comes with it.
Cited as an example by the coach
"Every day, I try to give it my all in training. Knock on wood, I haven't been injured this season. I've had a few in the past, despite a very healthy lifestyle. It happens in a career, you just have to deal with it. I hope to have as few as possible throughout my career.
« I managed to adapt. »
The piston role
"It was a bit complicated at the start of the season because I didn't have that training, even though many people think I have the profile. I often find myself higher up on the pitch, with different references and different automatisms. I've managed to adapt. It requires more effort because you have to be present offensively and defensively.
The armband
"I talk to the referees a lot more because we're the ones they talk to. When I think there's a dispute, I tell them. Generally speaking, they are very understanding and explain their decisions. Whether I understand it or not is another matter. When you're excited or under pressure, you want to express your discontent, and I do my best to intervene with my team-mates in such cases to calm the situation down.
His assessment of the season
"We're a long way from where we wanted to be at the start of the season, but a lot has happened. Things have improved over the last few weeks. We're enjoying it more and we've been able to turn things around. There are mixed feelings, but there are five games left and we're going to try to win them.
Matchday 30 Ligue 1 McDonald's
Stade Rennais F.C. / FC Nantes
Friday 18 April 2025 - 8.45pm
Roazhon Park
