By Aline Chatel
Published on
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So that’s football, the real thing! The game, the intensity, the enthusiasm, the goals and above all, yes above all, the platforms that come alive, the songs that rise, the drum that resonates, smiles, joy. What happiness! After almost a season behind closed doors, in a sad Ornano purge after purge, we had the impression of reliving, Saturday July 24, 2021 in Caen. In 90 minutes, of which a good part to shiver of a new found pleasure, all the galleys of a past however close seemed to fly away.
Savor the moment
Of course, a 4-0 victory over a pale Rodez team should make us say the same thing as Stéphane Moulin. “It’s a beautiful evening, but I want us to stay very measured. But now, the wait for renewal has been too long not to fully savor the present moment.
How not to ignite at least a little when Alexandre Mendy, “not in the odor of sanctity with the supporters last season”, as his coach rightly recalled, slams a hat-trick in one half? How not to switch at the same time as Steve Shamal when he plays and scores after more than a year of absence? How can we not appreciate the investment made by each player to accomplish his task?
The supporters quickly turned the page
Supported by a new staff more than by the transfer window achieved so far – no recruit was titular against Rodez, this Malherbe worthily celebrated the reunion with his public. Two months after the end of an almost nightmarish season, all had been forgiven. The supporters carried their players.
We feel that it is a demanding public and who wants to set the pace. We have to be there to give him the opportunity to do so. There was a mutual desire to have fun.
Malherbe did not leave much
The “beautiful energy” observed on both sides at the start of the meeting gave hope for the best. It took place, since Caen made a fiery start against a background of efficiency before managing his advantage very calmly. If we are fussy, we can point the finger at the 15 shots from Rodez, who had more latitudes in the second half. But at no time did Stade Malherbe seem in difficulty. Like a Johann Lepenant omnipresent in the midfield and impressive in recovery, the Normans remained focused and concerned.
The score is the result of a well-conducted preparation during which the players gave a lot. They deserved to be rewarded and were a little beyond our expectations.
“Play without asking questions”
The opening scoring after a big minute of play by Alexandre Mendy quickly proved decisive. “The first goal freed us. It allowed us to play without asking any questions, ”underlines Stéphane Moulin. But we know, even if the nightmarish exercise of last season could not be reduced to a mental failure, the psychological aspect was preponderant in the red and blue failure.
This broad opening success can already tip Caen into another dynamic. And good news, the very provisional co-leader of Ligue 2 obviously has “progress to be made in many areas”. We can’t wait for the next match, Saturday July 31, 2021 in Niort… by regaining all the necessary measure after just one day of competition!
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