"It's much easier to work when you win."
Laurent Travers, the manager of Racing 92, can breathe.
After four defeats in a row in the Top 14, the Parisians have just stopped the bleeding by dominating Clermont (33-28) on Saturday night in their Arena.
“Relief, there is always some when you win,
admits the technician from Altoséquanais.
What was important for us was to be able to win as many matches as possible to open the door to the top 6. It's up to us to continue the series. "
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To read alsoThe cold anger of Jono Gibbes: "There is zero satisfaction" after the defeat of Clermont against Racing 92
Before this 15th day, the Racingmen (who have a postponed match, against Pau, at the Arena) were under pressure even if they deny it.
The slightest misstep could have been expensive.
“
We knew the situation, we had to take points.
It's done.
We were not resigned, there are still twelve matches
(in Top 14).
But it would have been a very difficult situation
, admits scrum half Maxime Machenaud.
There are not too many jokers in this very tight championship and we have lost too many matches to let any more slip away, especially at home.
"
The pre-match preparation was once again complicated due to the health crisis.
It was necessary to juggle between the batteries of anti-Covid tests, the positive players and the modifications in the training program.
Constraints now usual for all professional clubs.
“We are not in the adaptation, we are in the innovation.
We had a three-week break, a lot of difficulty in training ... We knew that physically, it might be complicated.
With the return of all our cases of Covid, we were forced to do shorter training sessions and suddenly, we lacked a little trunk, ”
concedes Laurent Travers.
Sometimes I felt like we didn't know what to do anymore
Maxime Machenaud
Proof of the feverishness of Ciel et Blanc, a failed first act with gross mistakes and trial gifts offered to Clermontois who did not ask for so much.
“We were not at ease, we lacked control, we were tense. Sometimes, I had the impression that we no longer knew what to do
, ”admits Maxime Machenaud.
“We played Santa Claus again and that's what we'll have to work on, in terms of mastery and lucidity
,” continues the Racing manager who had to reframe his players at the break. So that they insist in particular in the axis with the forwards, before trying to open spaces.
“At half-time, instructions were given and the players signed up,
” says Laurent Travers.
When you lose track of a meeting, you have to know how to put things back in order and get back to simple things. ”
And the Racingmen, less drafts and more diligent after returning from the locker room, were able to turn the tide, scoring by Anthime Hemery (62nd) and Wenceslas Lauret (70th). But, badly recurring,the Hauts-de-Seine club again showed two faces during the same game.
I'm not worried.
When the team regains its collective strength, the individual will emerge
Laurent Travers
“We played better last week and lost
(at Lyon 37-35).
There we played less well, we traveled less, we were less efficient, ”
regrets Maxime Machenaud. Within a three-quarter line that can alternate the excellent (as in Northampton) as the most ordinary, Virimi Vakatawa, unrecognizable since his return from injury in the fall (ribs), symbolizes the difficulties of the Ile-de-France club.
"It is the image of our team,
" explains Laurent Travers.
At times he is within. Virimi wants to succeed and bring to the team. But he sometimes thwarts, because he just has too much desire. But I am not worried. When the team regains its collective strength, the individual will emerge. ”
Place now for the European Cup, a competition that the Ile-de-France residents have started well (great success in Northampton, victory on the green carpet against the Ospreys).
On the occasion of the 3rd and 4th round of the Champions Cup (with these same Welsh then against the English Saints), Racing has the opportunity - if the matches take place - to validate its ticket for the round of 16 of the continental test.
“We are in a good position unlike the championship,
” emphasizes Maxime Machenaud.
It's up to us to finish the job well to see the rest more calmly. "
But the continuation in Top 14 promises to be full-bodied with a trip to the lawn of the Toulouse ogre.
Short-lived embellishment?
