A small eternity.
Between the postponements linked to the Covid and the Coupe de France matches, the Red Star has not played in the league since February 9 against Bourg-en-Bresse (0-0).
This Tuesday against Sète, in a late match (8:00 p.m.), there should be no welcoming committee, nor Kop recreated behind the goals despite the camera and no more communion with the supporters on the forecourt of Bauer as Saturday against Lens (3-2).
Barely three days, after tasting the euphoric scents of the feat, the Red Star is about to return to the ordinary of the championship in an atmosphere that promises to be much colder.
A kind of big emotional gap that will have to be managed.
In terms of the media, the communications department had to deal with "some excitement", rather unusual.
Alan Dzabana, the qualifying scorer in the 90th minute, made a stint on RTL.
The coach, Vincent Bordot, also chained the radios and televisions.
But the club chose to refuse "several requests" for Sunday, especially for the players.
A desire to refocus on the main objective, namely the championship and the rise in L2.
Sunday at 11 am, the players, little or not used against Lens, were entitled to a classic session when the others performed a cleansing.
Bordot spoke in front of his group.
“I reminded them that the priority remained the championship and that it was necessary to quickly refocus on that, explains the coach.
It's not like we're in the hole in National.
We are at the top of the table, they must be aware that we still have something even more important to play.
The Cup must serve us for the championship.
We know that it takes a lot of energy so you have to know how to manage these moments, and it is my role and that of the staff to constantly remind people of the priorities.
"
Understand and accept the competition
Before his round of 16 on April 7 or 8, the Red Star will play 6 National games.
The period is therefore crucial for the candidate for the rise in L2, currently 6th at 16 and 15 points from Bastia and Quevilly, but with 4 games less.
“So it's not bad that our round of 16 is only a month away.
It will be easier to manage to relieve the pressure and the emotion than if the next round were to follow immediately, says Bordot.
We will be able to put the Cup aside for a while.
"
The management of the group during the coming weeks will also be an important element.
Even if the group has been affected by 6 cases of Covid, which Théo Sainte-Luce will be absent for another two months, the Red Star which has strengthened in the winter transfer window (Ba, Dzabana, Talal) can rely on a sufficient workforce fabric.
“We have to turn, admits Bordot.
The difficulty is to make the players accept and understand this competition.
I project myself on the long term whereas they tend to only see the short term, that is to say the next match.
Everyone must maintain a high level of requirement and be already good in the league.
So far, the Cup rounds have been a way for some players to regain confidence and show themselves.
It will serve us well.
Players like Ghabaoui or Mayoro Ndoye have shown that they can apply, Michel and Dzabana have scored against Lens.
"
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Left on the bench against Lens, goalkeeper Paul Charruau and captain Edouard Daillet should regain a starting position against Sète.
Bizet is still injured.
