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Claassen (Racing): "We are confident but a little stressed too"

2020-09-24T14:05:36.812Z


The experienced third center line fears the Saracens that Racing faces on Saturday in the semi-final of the Champions Cup. But he ensures that his team is "mentally ready".


How do you approach this big semi-final against the Saracens?


Antonie Claassen:

We're good, especially after this victory against Clermont (in quarters, 36-27).

but, at the same time, we are also stressed because we play against a big team of Saracens, who are reigning champions.

We know what awaits us this weekend, it will be a big challenge.

We can't afford to think further than that for the moment.

We are confident but also a little stressed at the idea of ​​facing this great team.

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We knew that big matches awaited us from the start, whether in Top 14 then the quarter against Clermont and the half against Saracens.

We didn't have much of a choice to perform from the start.

This is what we have been.

I hope we will be this weekend too.

During the group stage, Racing defeated a strongly reshaped Saracens team at the Arena.

Can this serve as a benchmark for Saturday?


At the time, the context was difficult for them (they had been sanctioned and relegated because of irregularities concerning the salary cap, Editor's note).

But it was still a great team.

And then, in the return match, we had a good match at home.

We had lost only a few points (narrow loss 24-27).

Even if the result was favorable for us, it remains a semi-final.

We know it's a team that plays very simply but does it 100%, it's very square, framed.

They do it perfectly.

It's going to be the same story this weekend.

I think they bet everything on this competition. 

"I don't know how many players they have played in the World Cup final ... They are very experienced"

These sanctions and this relegation, that over-motivated them? 


Yes.

It's an English team that plays everything 100%.

As they will go to the second division, they have bet everything on the Champions Cup.

It's a very big team, I don't know how many players there are who played in the World Cup final (eight: six holders and two substitutes, Editor's note)… They are very experienced. 

Do the Saracens have flaws? 


Very few ... In their game, everything is really well structured.

It's not very spectacular but they have guys who can change the course of a game.

It's up to us to play as a team, to be 100% at our best.

But it's very hard to find them a weak point.

But, for Racing, is the European Cup also a priority objective? 


For now, yes, that's our main goal because it happens very early in the season.

After two Top 14 matches, we are already playing European Cup qualifying matches.

It has always been a goal for us.

We have never hidden that we all dream of having this first star on the jersey.

We have a big game ahead of us, we'll do the math afterwards. 

“We're starting to play the game a bit in our heads.

To be mentally ready ”

Racing have won only two of their eight encounters against Saracens.

How do you mentally prepare for this kind of match?


It's a playoff game, a semi-final.

We know that if we lose this match, the 2020 Champions Cup is over ... Mentally, we know that we have to be at our best level to beat them.

We're starting to play the game in our heads.

To be mentally prepared. 

Physically too, you have to be ready ...


Yes but I think it starts mentally.

If we have decided to respond present in the fight, in the impacts, I think if we are mentally ready, physically it will follow.

Your teammate Bernard Laporte delivered a match against Clermont.

What role does he have in the group?


"Bernie", we know his qualities.

He is very hard in defense, on impact, on humans.

He is someone who is important to us.

Especially in defense.

He can move us forward and turn the game around.

On these big tackles or these clearings, he goes there to hurt.

Of course within the rules.

We rely on him a lot.

In the team, he doesn't speak a lot, but when he speaks, it's important and we listen to him. 

See you soon 36 years old, you have the impression that time has no effect on you ...


(Smile) I always want to play and give the best of myself.

I hope it shows on the ground.

Rugby is a passion.

That's all I wanted to do when I was little, have fun on the pitch.

I know it's not gonna last my whole life, it's gonna stop at some point.

I take every opportunity to play to have fun.

Even if there is a lot of pressure and issues in these matches, it must remain a pleasure.

If this is not the case, I think we are a little wrong.

You realize this when you have a little experience.

You have to enjoy every game, every moment.

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