Last Friday, Pierre Sage was angry. A cold anger that the coach of the Racing Club de Lens had expressed when answering questions from Ligue 1+. Very unhappy with the behavior of certain starters in the match against Brest (3-3), he did not hesitate to target them, without mentioning any names. A short week later, he admitted to having some remorse about his attitude.
Present this Thursday at a press conference, two days before the Sang et Or travel to Nice (9 p.m.), Pierre Sage took the opportunity to look back on the sequence. “It was a real rant and the players really felt targeted. It’s like a conflict situation within a family. And it is precisely in these moments that we see the level of love. (…) And even when the patriarch messes up, since that was the case because I went really, really hard…”
Preferring to return to a little more gentleness, Pierre Sage explained that he had to “show the players and the group that(he) love them very much ». All this to enable the group to achieve its objectives. Because the Northerners’ season is still far from over, with a still thrilling race for a directly qualifying place in the Champions League, but also a Coupe de France final to be played on May 22, again against Nice.
Pierre Sage had “a frank discussion” with his players
While waiting for this last meeting, Saturday’s trip to the Aiglons promises to be crucial. And to be sure to be in the best possible condition, Pierre Sage confirmed that he spoke a lot with his players after his blood attack. “Above all, there is a frank and sincere discussion. And it’s important to say things to yourself, even if it hurts a lot. »
Obviously very affected by his own behavior, the Lens tactician ended on the subject by adding:
“I could have made them live with that, but it was damage that I couldn’t leave unsaid. (…) It’s not because we yell at someone or show them off that we don’t necessarily like them. (…) But there is always a tomorrow for things and we have beautiful tomorrows to live together. »
