Among the Sang et Or, if Seko Fofana shines with a thousand lights and concentrates the attention, Jonathan Clauss remains no less brilliant.
Essential even.
Because his offensive efficiency is deeply linked to the collective success of his team.
To become aware of this, it is necessary to take a (small) leap into the past.
To discover
Calendar and results Ligue 1
League 1 standings
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A hot start
In the first third of the championship, Racing Club de Lens established itself as a team with an overflowing appetite, eager to eat from the dishes of the big teams in the championship, thus thwarting the established hierarchy and claiming European qualification, C3 or even in C1.
This remarkable start, the artesian formation owed it of course to an extraordinary state of mind, to the principles of play put in place by Franck Haise, to the incredible and unwavering support of his fans or even to the tireless and essential Seko Fofana.. .but also to the decisive performances of Jonathan Clauss.
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At the end of the 13th day of Ligue 1, while the Sang et Or occupied second position in the standings, the 29-year-old Frenchman had (already) two goals and six assists to his credit.
Amazing statistics for a player who does not evolve (only) in the offensive sector.
With such fine performances, his name gravitated insistently, at least in the sphere of observers, around the Blues of Didier Deschamps, and this all the more so as Léo Dubois, the Lyon captain, was not unanimous.
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Followed by a slump
On the other hand, the end of the year was less brilliant for the former Strasbourg player.
Between mid-November and the winter break, Jonathan Clauss was decisive only once.
A real slump, which the interested party recognizes and which he attributes to the mental more than to the physical, and in particular to the media hype around his possible call to the France team.
“
It was not physical, it was more mental because there is the unconscious which played on many things.
At some point, there was a lot of information, a lot of things that we don't want to read, but that we read anyway
, he recently confided in an interview with
France Bleu Nord
.
And at some point, even if I always said that I'm not interested in things, there are things that the unconscious takes into account when we don't want to pay attention to them.
»
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This slowdown is reflected in the results of Racing Club de Lens, which has not won any of its last six matches of 2021. Three defeats and three draws which have pushed it back in the Ligue 1 standings , forcing him to put his European appetite on hold.
Because halfway through the championship, the formation of Pas-de-Calais had fallen to a frustrating tenth position.
Giving then the impression that it was necessary, almost inevitably, that its right piston is distinguished offensively so that it can win a victory.
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A life-saving rebound
Fortunately for the Sang et Or, Jonathan Clauss got out of this difficult patch at the start of 2022. With the help of his close entourage: “
It took discussions.
It took a little while, but that's it, I found myself too.
I repeat, it's not the pressure, it's an excess of nervousness, an excess of stress that I don't usually put myself under.
I had to crack a little and it was done
, he told
France Bleu Nord.
You have to cry.
I forced myself not to do it and I talked about it with my girlfriend.
At one point, she told me, but it's not just the weak who cry.
It made me crazy.
And I slept so well the next night that suddenly I thought, next time, I won't
»
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This psychological release was felt when the championship resumed.
The native of Strasbourg distinguished himself in turn against Stade Rennais (1-0) and against AS Saint-Etienne (1-2) with each time an offering, thus contributing to the two successes in a row for the Lensois.
Silenced during a new (short) period - during which the RCL lost to Olympique de Marseille (0-2) and FC Lorient (2-0) - Jonathan Clauss quickly emerged from his offensive silence with two goals in the last two days, against Olympique Lyonnais (1-1) and SCO Angers (1-2).
Now, at the dawn of the 27th day of Ligue 1, the artesian club is in sixth place in the standings, just six units from the podium.
This Saturday, against Stade Brestois, an opponent within reach on paper,
it can continue its fine march forward.
He also has the opportunity to show that he is not (totally) dependent on his right piston.
