"I will do everything to ensure that the president of OL remembers me", smiles Alan Dzabana.
In the round of 16 the 24-year-old striker with a small stature (1.71 meters) had donned the costume of the hero of the Red Star by scoring the qualifying goal in the 90th minute against Lens, barely entered into the game. goal which allowed him to resume the thread of his career which was bogged down in Le Havre (11 L2 games in 3 years).
“Instead of progressing, I stagnated and then regressed,” said Dzabana who signed for Red Star in early February to “bounce back and become the player I was in Lyon again, good in percussion, decisive in the area.
"
Because at the Lyon training center, which he joined at the age of 15, he has long been considered one of the greatest hopes of his generation.
At the time, he had a choice.
PSG and Rennes also wanted to sign the native of Livry-Gargan (93) who was playing in Torcy.
"I could have chosen proximity to PSG but when I came to visit the Lyon facilities with my father and my big brother, I really fell in love with this club," says Dzabana.
The organization, the quality that emerged weighed in my choice.
The percentage of passing the bac was also high and that mattered to my family.
Lyon was what did best in terms of training in France, a lot of great attackers have gone there, Ben Arfa, Benzema, Lacazette… ”
Like them, Dzabana was trained by Armand Garrido in the U17s.
“It’s the coach who marked me the most,” he admits.
He knows how to push your limits.
He taught me that even when you're tired, you have to be able to tap into your reserves.
I had a really good relationship with him, we stayed in touch for a long time.
"
In May 2014, Dzabana was crowned champion of France U17 with OL by beating (3-1) in the final PSG (with Ikoné, Nkunku, Augustin, Edouard…).
He was then the second scorer of a team (11 goals) in which Houssem Aouar was playing.
“This title remains a great memory, we had a great team.
Aouar was a year younger than us, he was upgraded but he was above the rest.
I have not forgotten his many assists in depth and intervals.
"
After this title, he continued his progression, being top scorer of the reserve (CFA) in 2016-2017 (15 goals).
It was also the time of European Youth League matches.
Then called several times by Bruno Genesio in the group in L1 or in the European Cup, he nevertheless missed the last step.
"Even if I play in the National, I want to show that I'm still there"
“I was 19th man in the Champions League and in L1, on the bench in the Europa League, he recalls.
In training, coach Genesio and forwards coach Gérald Baticle talked to me a lot, giving me advice on my finish in front of goal.
I regret not having been able to actually implement them.
It is true that at my post, there were beautiful people ... But it could have gone better for me.
Afterwards, I don't want Lyon at all.
I prefer to keep the good times.
I was still a teenager when I arrived and I left as a man after having completed the stages: the management and administration baccalaureate, the license, the professional contract… I built myself in Lyon.
"
After six seasons with OL, he chose to take off in January 2018 to gain playing time with the pros.
“I had to sign in L1 in Nice but the two clubs could not agree on the transfer.
On the other hand, Lyon had good relations with Le Havre since the transfer of Ferland Mendy (summer 2017).
It made it easier.
I thought it would be back to better jump to sign in L2, but Le Havre, it was a failure.
"
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Against Lyon, he will necessarily be motivated.
“I'm going to see a lot of people again, especially Maxime Caqueret with whom I have stayed in contact or Kadawere, whom I knew in Le Havre.
Everyone has their own way but it's always nice to find their training club.
I want to show that even if I had difficulties, that I play in National, I am not dead and that I am still there.
"
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