An exceptional derby - or catastrophic it depends - to end the first leg.
Stade Français won 48-10 on the neighbor's lawn.
A match that perfectly sums up the state of form of the two.
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“
I believe that in fifteen years of presidency, I had never lived such a nightmare
”, blew Jacky Lorenzetti, highest leader of Racing.
"
It's been three weeks since we recognized Racing
", supported Laurent Travers, head coach until the end of the season.
This summer, the manager will take the rank in management and will be replaced by Stuart Lancaster at the edge of the field.
Moving forward for Racing
“
We must not run away and face this difficult period
” continues the coach of Ciel et Blanc.
After a cannonball start to the season, the Ile-de-France club is experiencing a real setback.
Five successes in a row at the end of autumn before three defeats in a row: a slap received "at home" - the match was relocated to Le Havre - by Leinster (10-42), a narrow defeat on the ground of Harlequins (14-10) and the spanking received during the Ile-de-France derby.
“
The executives spoke this week
, admits Nolann Le Garrec, according to comments reported by
Rugbyrama
.
It was important for the whole group to get together and get back into the fight to best prepare for this trip to Castres.
“Because to start again, Racing 92 moves to the vice-champion of France in title, however in difficulty during the season after.
Stade Français wants to be careful
At Stade Français, the dynamic is the opposite.
A crisis at the start of the season after the various announcements concerning the staff: departure of Gonzalo Quesada, arrival of Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal this summer.
Since then, the Soldats Roses seem to be on a mission.
As inhabited by a supernatural force and a feeling of revenge to thank the Argentine manager.
“
Where we keep our commitments is in our team project, the one we offered to the players at the start of the season and which players immediately joined,
confides Gonzalo Quesada.
Then, on our game project, our production in the field, we are in full progress.
The players take pleasure when they see that all the work done is validated on the field.
»
Sentiment shared by the soldier of Marcos Kremer.
“
It is sure that we had a good Christmas
, rejoices the one who will play second line again this Saturday.
If we could do all the matches like that, it would be better for us.
»
After a timid start, Stade Français had a string of good results, culminating in a draw in Toulouse (16-16), a victory against La Rochelle (27-14) and the derby over the weekend. last.
An end of phase go with fanfare and place of dolphin to spend Christmas warm.
However, the Parisians do not want to rejoice too quickly.
“
There is a lot of euphoria around us, but we know very well that in certain positions, we are in difficulty
”, calms the coach of the players in pink.
In front, Paris knows a lot of injuries.
To the point of recruiting a second line from Toulon as a medical joker.
“
Pau is a very good team which can cause us a lot of problems, continues Gonzalo Quesada.
It's the first game of the second leg and games don't matter anymore.
»
This season, what makes the strength of Stade Français is the group cohesion that emanates from it.
And the players sum it up best.
“
Since the start of the season and even the pre-season, with the arrival of new players, we have had a group of workers and fighters,
advances Marcos Kremer.
It's a very good thing, but the work is not finished.
There are still at least 13 games to play.
“Same observation for the three-quarter Sione Tui.
“
Since the pre-season camp in Portugal, we have developed a real group, with strong values.
We do good things and the truth is seen on the ground anyway.
»
To begin this return phase, the Stade Français receives a beaten Section Paloise at home (29-31) and revenge.
The two Ile-de-France clubs will meet for a next derby on the 21st day of the championship.
The date has already been set for March 25.
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