“Few people believed in us.
"Appeared soaked in the area reserved for the media but the spirit probably lightened by the success of the Stade Français against Montpellier (32-10, 24th day), winger Adrien Lapègue knows how much the Parisians come back from afar.
Before their four consecutive Top 14 successes, including a last one obtained on Saturday in Jean-Bouin against a reduced MHR, we did not give much of the skin of the men of Gonzalo Quesada.
For whom to touch the final stages, more frequented since 2015 - the year of their last shield of Brennus -, seemed illusory.
But failed on a good dynamic and calibrated on a real rise in power, the Ile-de-France residents are very close to it.
Specialist in turnarounds, Paris is thwarting the forecasts by relaunching itself completely in the race for the final phase, now sixth after the defeat of Toulon (7th) on Saturday night in Clermont (25-16).
“We know that we no longer have the right to make mistakes since this game lost at home against Clermont (27-34, March 27), recognizes Paul Gabrillagues, Parisian second line.
We know that if we want to stay alive, we have to win every game.
We have two left.
"
And 4️⃣ in a row!
👏 # SFPMHR pic.twitter.com/hfIg1Xz2Xa
- Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) May 15, 2021
Quesada: "Our fate depends on our next match against Lyon"
A mission not simple, but more impossible, as a near eighth-final against Lyon looms on May 29. “There, we no longer do calculations. We know that our fate depends on our next match against Lyon. We have fifteen days to prepare it, ”assures Quesada, a satisfied coach but already turned on the next meeting of his team, against Lyonnais ninth but only two points behind (60, against 62 for Paris).
Before thinking about the last day and a trip to Bayonne (June 5), the whole club is now focused on a single goal, which will condition the end of the season. Call it what you want, but this meeting against Lyon is definitely a final before the hour for the fifteen Parisian. Who offered himself Saturday, in the heart of a stormy day, the right to dream of an end of season full of light. “Anyway, every weekend, it's almost a final for us,” breathes Adrien Lapègue. Almost a regular this season, the Stade Français knows music: it must win, to continue to hope.
