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If he dragged his spleen at the discretion disastrous results of his team, Vincent Germain today receives a “glimmer of hope”. While training, bottom of Ligue 1 battle for the continued presence of the elite, the president of the Central Club of fans of AS Nancy-Lorraine (ASNL) assures boldly: “We’re going to get in extremis. ”
The sixties is even more convinced after the precious victory (1-0) pulled by his team Sunday, March 17, against Nice at Marcel Picot Stadium. With this success, the eleven Lorraine came back with 24 points, up from Troyes, one of its direct competitors in the depths of the standings. Retaining its ultimate place under a negative goal difference, ASNL is now posted five units Brest last non-relegation.
Optimism diehard Germain Vincent is justified by the encouraging signals sent in recent weeks by the Lorraine formation. Nancy, who lived a chaotic first half of the season, began its recovery under the tutelage of new coach Patrick Gabriel, successor to the experienced Jean Fernandez, resigned on January 10. “We won more points in the last ten matches at the end of the first nineteen says Nicolas Holveck, vice president of the club. Was halted our bad dynamic. But even if our financial position is improved it from afar. ”
“DARK TUNNEL”
Contained in the relegation zone since September 22, 2012, Nancy has gone through in recent months a “dark tunnel” by Vincent Germain. With just 11 points garnered in the winter break, the Nancy team had a nightmarish first half of the season, not getting a single victory during … the opening day of the championship.
After the voluntary departure of Jean Fernandez, the lorraine team recorded a second success, January 26, against Lille (2-1) before beating Marseille at the Stade Velodrome (1-0) on February 3. Bowing narrowly (2-1) at the Parc des Princes, the players showed Nancy, March 9, their willingness to continue the fight. “Everyone expected us to lose 33-0 against PSG, says Patrick Gabriel. Was little hope of keeping. It is believed. Although should complete the course of a team applicant the European markets. ”
Its leaders, the technician is the main architect of this revival. Named overnight by President Jacques Rousselot, Patrick Gabriel had the merit to embody a return to the identity of the club. Former player ASNL this unknown to the general public has long led the reserve team of Nancy before turning his training center. “Gaby joined the club when he was 16, observes Nicolas Holveck. We had reason to believe in him.” “He introduced a new discourse, a freshness, a joie de vivre,” added Sébastien Puygrenier the Captain Nancy. Backed by Vincent Hognon, a former player ASNL, Patrick Gabriel and put in the footsteps of Pablo Correa, former striker house and ever-present coach (2002-2009) of the Lorraine formation.
“We had what we needed in the eyes, says Nicolas Holveck. Should rely on those fiber ASNL and not on those who think primarily in their careers and their own person.” The leader Nancy and advanced the controversial departure of Jean Fernandez, the renowned engineer who led 584 matches in Ligue 1.
“THE ENVIRONMENT IS RUTHLESS”
A 58-year-old who has the reputation of never having led a team to relegation considers that “failure belongs to everyone.” “When finished eleventh miraculously last spring, the president had described me as a concentrate of Mourinho, Guardiola and Ferguson says Jean Fernandez. I extended for two years but the medium is unforgiving. Six months later, the media management, fans and players made me more confident. This is a daily suffering. Aiming to maintain each year with a single shareholder, it is difficult. If I had stayed, it would have been difficult in this climate morose. ”
The outgoing coach blames including transfers major players, such as the Brazilian and former captain André Luiz, enacted this winter by its leaders. “It was early in November our eventual descent Ligue 2 justifies Nicolas Holveck. It took to save. The club has 550 employees and our budget will be divided by three if one goes down. This would be a setback for the institution. ”
To avoid demotion ASNL will, in the spring, beat successively Troyes, Evian-Thonon and Brest, its direct competitors. “Everyone thinks we’re dead since Christmas, we play without pressure,” insists Nicolas Holveck. Before addressing the “last mile”, Patrick Gabriel says yet again: “Take courage, it has.”…