Released on injury against PSG during the week, Thomas Fontaine suffers from a partial rupture of the Achilles tendon. The Saint-Pierrois will be unavailable for the next six months.
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Despite the severity of his injury which puts an end to his season, the defender of Lorient and the Madagascar national team kept morale up yesterday after the medical examinations. The pride of Joli Fond has known difficult stages in its career. He relies on his great mental strength to get up.
Thomas, while it was looking good, the week turned into a nightmare …
“That’s it, there was the defeat in Paris to which was added my injury (0-2), then the hard setback at home against Rennes (0-3), followed by a death in the stride … the total! In addition, I had just learned of the disappearance of my former selection mate from Réunion Dimitri Arnassalom.It is a dark week.
Did you know the gardener who lost his life on Sunday at Le Moustoir?
We met often. I was told he was the brother of a former player, a club volunteer. I was in the hallway chatting with Sidney Govou and Clément Grenier when the tragedy occurred. We heard screams. We saw people running, panicking … It’s the kind of scene you only see in the movies. We are all in pain.
A little earlier, there was your injury which deprived you of the entire game against PSG, and of the match against Rennes …
All the events that followed make me put things in perspective even more. I tell myself that I am still alive and in good health. Football will come back up to date, we will do what is necessary for it. I have already gone through several stages in my career. I still remember my Crusader operation in 2015 which kept me away from the field for a whole year. I know what awaits me. The mind is good. And thank goodness I will still have a year of contract left.
Is the verdict so terrible?
Partial rupture of the Achilles tendon. I was initially told that I had six to eight weeks off, but the ultrasound results darkened the picture. As the tendon is very damaged, it is absolutely necessary to go through the operation so that it does not completely loose. We made an appointment for the beginning of January. The doc told me I had four or six months. My season is over.
You were, however, well against PSG?
I had not played in competition for a month, and the CAN match against Ivory Coast. The coach gave me my chance. I was keen to take it back. I gave everything. I didn’t think the pain I was having covered such a serious injury. At the time, I played it safe, for the good of the team. I requested the replacement. It’s annoying when it ends like this. Especially with all the deadlines coming up.
Do you think that Lorient, 19th and penultimate in L1, can get out of the woods?
We are not far from the others. It’s up to us to bring about the luck that we lack. The season is still long, and the championship is so weird this year: even the front teams are struggling too. All the better for us.
You will miss the Merlus but also the Barea in the race to qualify for CAN 2021!
This injury really comes at the worst time. I will miss the penultimate match in Ethiopia, then the last at home in Mada. It’s hard. The teammates can still count on me to encourage them from a distance.
What’s next for you?
We will try to get back to Reunion quickly. The need to see my loved ones again arises, even more after the moments that I have just experienced. I can’t wait to be able to recharge my batteries with my family, at home, before leaving for a new fight against the injury. While waiting to meet everyone there, big up to all. “
Mickaël Payet
=== TABLO PIED
=== on the rise
Rayan Raveloson (Troyes)
LEAGUE 2. A decisive passer, the Portois (23 years old) greatly contributed to the victory while controlling the Estac on Niort (1-0). With this twelfth consecutive match without defeat, the Aubois have consolidated their leadership position that they will defend tonight with their Grenoble runner-up, just before the break.
Julien Bègue (Le Mans)
NATIONAL 1. It is with a penalty that the tonic Tamponnais (27 years old) confirmed his rise to power with the Sang et Or de la Sarthe. Author of his first goal in the league this season, “Ti Bègue” allowed Le Mans to bring back from SC Lyon three points and an 8th place, to put under the tree.
Loïc Lapoussin (Union)
BELGIUM (D2). Barely recovered from an injury, the attacking midfielder still made the difference. Entered just after the hour mark, he caused the penalty in the 76th minute which allowed Union Saint-Gilloise to win 2-1 at the expense of Westerlo, thus consolidating its leadership within the Belgian D2. .
=== downward
Dimitri Payet (Marseille)
LEAGUE 1. Decisive passer during the defeat in Rennes during the week (1-2), the number 10 failed to trigger the spark -despite two pretty caviar for Benedetto- to put OM back on the path to success . Hanging on by Reims at the Vélodrome (1-1), Marseille concedes ground in the race for the podium.
Jérémy Morel (Lorient)
LEAGUE 1. Author of a big performance against PSG during the week despite the defeat (0-2), the left-hander was more in difficulty against Stade Rennais, his former club (0-3). And especially unhappy, like Da Silva’s strike that he deflected on the opening scoring. The Hake plunge back into the red zone.
Ronny Rodelin (Guingamp)
LEAGUE 2. Holder in the midfield, the Panonnais could not avoid a crushing defeat of his team in Chambly, despite their numerical superiority from the hour mark (3-0). Nothing goes for the Bretons who have not won for nine games, and who plunge to 15th place in the standings.
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