The lights are green.
With five wins, one draw and four defeats – but with a calendar that offered the Parisians six trips for only four receptions – Stade Français has had a promising start to the season.
Rewarded by a 2nd place tied with La Rochelle and Racing 92. 26 points each one unit ahead of Lyon and Bayonne.
To discover
Schedule and Top 14 results
Ranking Top 14
Placed therefore, but without insurance for the future.
Which will be conditioned by the two upcoming receptions, RC Toulon this Saturday evening and Stade Rochelais in a week.
Two appointments to strengthen ambition or fall back into the belly of the ranking.
“
We are in a good position in the standings, but it's very tight in the lead, confirms the coach of the pink soldiers, Gonzalo Quesada.
A defeat and we can switch to the middle of the table.
Two defeats and finds himself having to row again…
”An observation shared by the hooker of the Stade Français, Mickaël Ivaldi.
“
These two meetings can allow us to stabilize at the top of the Top 14 and switch to the right side.
»
So we will know.
If Jean-Bouin has indeed become an "
impregnable
" fortress (Ivaldi).
If the players will remain animated by this fierce desire to offer a glorious exit to their manager (Quesada will leave the club at the end of the season, replaced by the Labiit-Ghezal tandem, coming from the XV of France).
If the good behavior of the Parisian pack will allow the attack to put itself more and more in value…
“Domi is present with us.
We see it every day.
»
Gonzalo Quesada
Expectations strong enough not to add to it.
This match is indeed placed under the memory of Christophe Dominici, tragically disappeared two years ago almost to the day.
For a trophy bearing the name of the former RCT and then SFP winger.
“
Domi is present with us.
We have a lot of images at key places in our operation.
We have a memory of him every day, we see him every day
, ”recalled Gonzalo Quesada, who was his teammate.
A meaningful memory that should not, however, distract players from their primary mission.
"
We don't want to overdo it, use that as a source of motivation.
Our motivation must be linked to what we have accomplished this season, to the importance of this match, to the ability to progress in terms of our performance, even if it will be in a corner of our hearts
. Gonzalo Quesada.
Who prefers to retain the touch of humor he has suffered since Tuesday and Argentina's defeat against Saudi Arabia (1-2) at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“
Many of us were watching the second half in the living room, says the Argentinian technician.
Since then, I have been extremely attacked by my players and my staff, who have decorated everything with photos of Saudi Arabia.
But I had spoken a little too much before, a little too much showed my support for my dear country.
So it's for me…
” A rooming in order which seems to confirm that the atmosphere is in good shape at the Stade Français.
Two successes at home would reinforce this good mood a little more, conducive to successful courses.