As much to say: everyone expected better from the group of Raul Gonzalez.
Without falling into catastrophism, the start of the season for PSG is more than average, with one victory (Aix in the league) and two defeats in the Champions League (Flensburg at home and Meshkov Brest).
An unusual accounting situation for a club used to stringing together victories and which is among the four best in Europe.
Confinement, a truncated end of the season despite the sixth national title in a row, a radically altered workforce: so many reasons that can explain the sluggish departure of the champion of France.
A lack of serenity.
If the success (34-31) Sunday in the league against Aix is all in all logical on paper, it was nevertheless difficult to materialize: "I found them in doubt and not serene, confides Thierry Anti, the new coach Aixois, who also directed Paris Handball from 2004 to 2008. It lacked enthusiasm, no doubt because we did not give up.
But still… The difference is that Paris is forced to win, while the other clubs have a little less pressure for the result and focus more on the game to be produced.
"
A site to be built.
Despite a preparation where nothing was left to chance, PSG must also adapt to its new configuration.
With six arrivals and seven departures, its workforce has been significantly altered: “On what I imagined in view of the recruitment, I feel that Raul wanted to broaden his range, analyzes Thierry Anti.
As much in attack as in defense.
If the first works rather well, with an average of 31 goals scored, the second is unusual (30, 33 goals conceded).
On the forums, the supporters mainly regret the departures of Rodrigo Corrales in goal, and especially that of Sander Sagosen, the best player of the year who left for Kiel.
The Norwegian, who occupied the position of center-half, left the role of playmaker to Nikola Karabatic, undoubtedly the only one so far to have maintained his level.
And now ?
The question now is: how long will this last?
"The Paris team is not sick, and even if it was the case, it remains very difficult to beat, advance Sébastien Leriche, the coach of Cesson-Rennes, whom the Parisians welcome on Saturday (7 p.m.) in the league .
Like all of us, they digest a particular preparation and look for each other.
That they didn't have a good start to the season doesn't change anything.
If a breach opens on Saturday, we will rush into it.
"
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"We must not learn lessons too early," concludes Thierry Anti.
The season is still long.
“Except that when we call ourselves the PSG, the redemption period is shorter than elsewhere… On October 15, the Parisians will receive Elverum, the new club of Luc Abalo, who won in Porto… which had previously beaten Brest.
By then, Paris will have played three league games, Cesson-Rennes therefore, then Saint-Raphaël and Toulouse, two teams aiming for the top of the table.