By signing on loan to the Girondins de Bordeaux at the end of January, Josuha Guilavogui, who remained for more than 7 seasons in the German championship, was expected, along with the other winter recruits, as a savior for the Girondins de Bordeaux. But, despite his arrival combined with those of other loaned players in particular, Bordeaux did not manage to take off and remained stuck in 19th place.
While the Girondins will host Nice this Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux is four points behind Saint-Etienne, currently in the play-off position and five behind the first non-relegation player, Clermont. Despite this uncomfortable situation and with only four Ligue 1 games left, Josuha Guilavogui still wants to believe in keeping the Girondins in the top flight.
The matches pass, the problems repeat themselves. How to stay positive?
Josuha Guilavogui. It’s difficult to find the right words, but we will have to rely on what we did well against Saint-Etienne and Nantes, that is to say these early matches where we get to score. When we score, we go for a second goal. Now, we will have to learn how to manage the score. When we see our last two matches, against a team within our reach Saint-Etienne, and Nantes who are having a very good season, we manage to master our subject. But, as soon as we concede a goal, it is difficult to manage our weak times because the opponent does more. This is where the public will have an important role to play on Sunday. He has always been behind us and now we have to win at home.
Is it a life and death match on Sunday?
Josuha Guilavogui. Yes, we can see it like that. First to life would be three points which would leave us alive for the last three matches. But in death also yes because we know that over time, there will be fewer and fewer opportunities to grab the place of jump-off or even 17th place. We work with the coach, we have a lot of meetings to find the answers. Afterwards, we will have to show it on the field. We found ourselves back against the wall several times during the season and today perhaps even more. You have to believe it, you have to believe it, there are still 12 points left. We can’t afford to think it’s over.
You play in the middle or in central defense. Complicated to manage?
Josuha Guilavogui. We had already mentioned this possibility when I arrived. I am at the service of the collective if you have to play defender as a midfielder, there is no problem. The most important thing is to take points. I had good feelings against Metz and Saint-Etienne, there in Nantes, I had a good first half. But, there was my mistake when I returned from the locker room. With my experience, I should have managed that moment better, I blamed myself because the team had made so much effort. It’s part of football, I know that today I can make a mistake and tomorrow be decisive for my team. Now I know what I have to do.