A crack in his tibia at the beginning of October kept him away from the field for 6 weeks. Since his return from injury, Johann Lepenant (23 years old) has played one match after another (he has started three games in the last four matches). Despite the setback conceded to Lille (1-0) last weekend at the end of added time, the former Caen player believes that FC Nantes has regained defensive stability but is aware that the Canaries must do more in the opposing camp.
How did this going green happen in Arzon, in Morbihan?
The staff wanted us to get together and it went well. The goal was to be in our bubble and work together. It’s good to share moments together, for cohesion, for collective strength. We worked like every week but we were together all day. On a sporting level, there wasn’t really a big difference. We knew this hotel and this training ground. We went there for the last day last season. It’s a beautiful place.
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Did the group need a change of environment?
With this defeat in Lille, at the last minute, it still hurts a little. The staff had this idea of going green a little earlier than usual. It’s a good thing for the group.
FC Nantes went on training near Cádiz (Spain) last January and, in terms of results, this had no beneficial effect. Did you emphasize the mental aspect?
No, in Spain, we were gone for a full week. There, we want to arrive with a vindictive state of mind in relation to the match (defeat of FC Nantes 4-1 at Raymond Kopa, 16th day). We have this bad memory. We had a non-match. We recalled it this week, we discussed it. We have to catch up and make sure we arrive with this revenge mentality.
“It’s us who play, it’s our fault”
What has changed since the first leg in attitudes?
For two or three matches, we have had a feeling of solidity with a new system. With the players, we can chat. The point on which we have progressed the most is the defensive aspect. We feel more solid in the game. Against Le Havre, we kept a clean sheet. In Lille, we conceded a goal from a set piece at the end but we were not necessarily worried. Now we have to do better with the ball. The main thing is to keep this solidity, this mentality, this defensive game and be more dangerous with the ball, worry the opponent more. We are trying to find solutions. It’s complicated. In Lille, it was difficult to keep the ball with their counter-pressing. On a daily basis, we work, we look for passing circuits.
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Does this relative defensive solidity allow the midfielders to be more serene?
We feel more solid. There are 3 of us in the middle. In the last matches, with Louis (Leroux), we have instructions to look to the sides and Momo (Kaba) who is behind us, as reinforcement. We feel good in this device. Now, you have to know how to keep the balls, make passes that can breathe life into the team because we run a lot, you have to know how to manage the weak moments and the strong moments. With Louis, Momo, we have the trunk to run. It’s good to run but we also have to know how to keep it and place our attacks.
Is FC Nantes, 17th, in its place?
It’s us who play, it’s our fault. There was a lack of success in certain matches but we are the main players, it is up to us to get out of this place.
PODCAST. FC Nantes: The cruel Lille defeat, Ahmed Kantari and Angers on the menu for Sans Control
Is it tiring to play maintenance every season?
Obviously, it’s tiring. There are no cheaters in this group. We work and on weekends things don’t suit us too much. When you come home at the weekend, it’s not just the players, there are the loved ones, the supporters, a whole stadium. It’s up to us to raise our heads. As long as we can get past it, I’ll believe it. It’s up to us to take points and do our best to, every weekend, give the best image for this jersey.
How do you react when you hear whistles coming from the stands when you go to warm up?
It’s never pleasant but it’s football. In a season, it can happen. There is always a moment when you can get whistled. Maybe more often here but given the ranking, we can understand it.
