“He understood the message that I gave him”: Antoine Kombouaré salutes the state of mind of Maxime Lopez

An entry piece for Paris FC after the international break. The promoted team travels to Lorient this Sunday April 5 (5:15 p.m.), 9th in the Ligue 1 standings and undefeated at home since August 30. “They know how to defend very, very well and, above all, they have a strong team in the transition phases,” noted Antoine Kombouaré at a press conference this Friday. It’s going really fast, they only have bombs ahead. »

To try to win at Moustoir, the coach and his staff “studied their game well” during the break, a period which also allowed players not selected for the selection to cut. “We took three days of rest after Le Havre (3-2), we deserved these three days,” insisted Antoine Kombouaré. We then did a few sessions and then we had a training match against Red Star (Saturday March 28) to be able to give playing time to those who play little. I think we worked well. »

During this meeting closed to the public and the media, midfielder Maxime Lopez scored, and was able to stand out. A good omen for the man who has not played since the arrival of Kanak at the head of the team and who had been left out of the group for a while. “He’s coming back well,” the technician began. I know that when I arrived, it wasn’t easy for him because he perhaps felt pushed aside, he perhaps felt that I wasn’t counting on him, that was completely false. »

“It’s the coach who decides”

And to continue: “I arrived with a very precise idea of ​​what I expected from the team and especially from him in his game and that’s good. Apparently he understood the message I gave him. He, like all the players, have an idea of ​​how to play, but they have not understood that it is the coach who decides how we should play. If they get in tune, they’re eligible, as they say. »

The ex-Marseillais should therefore be in the group which will make the trip to Brittany. And if seven players, six of whom are physically impaired – Jean-Philippe Krasso (knee), Vincent Marchetti (lumbago), Julien Lopez (lumbago), Pierre-Yves Hamel (reathletization), Rémy Riou (knee), Sofiane Alakouch (calf) and one suspended – Rudy Matondo -, are missing, the coach should be able to count on Samir Chergui and Hamari Traoré, but also Ilan Kebbal, back after having been hit in the quadriceps.