It seems a long time ago when Pedro Chirivella was only the second or even the third choice in the hierarchy of FC Nantes midfielders. Arrived on tiptoe from Liverpool in June 2020, the multilingual Spaniard has become an essential link in Antoine Kombouaré’s system, to the point that he has played all the matches for which he has been available since the arrival. Kanak, in February. Already scorer of two goals, his first two with the Yellow, Pedro Chirivella has “hunger“of playing time, whether in the championship, or in the Coupe de France like this Sunday afternoon on the occasion of the round of 16 of the competition, against the modest team of Vitré. Interview.
Chirivella, with good memories of the cup matches
How do you approach this meeting against AS Vitré, the last of its group of National 2?
We have to play a good game, we are ready to win. This year, we are much better in the championship, so we want to have a good trip in the Cup. We are in a positive spiral [quatre succès consécutifs, ndlr]. We want to continue like this because it’s very important for the second part of the season and, for me, this is a very important game in order to regain confidence after the holidays. We have to perform well because we want to qualify for the next round.
What does the Coupe de France represent in your eyes and more generally the national cups?
For a team like us, this is the easiest way to earn a title. We know that in the championship, it’s impossible. I like these matches. In Spanish we often say: “es todo o nada“It’s all or nothing. If you lose, you go home, on the other hand if you win, you keep going. It reminds me of my season in the Netherlands where I had a very good trip until the half. -final against Feyenoord It’s very important for me.
Do the national cups have the same place in France, Spain or England, where you played?
It depends on the form of the team when they play it. When you are in trouble in the league, the Cup may be neglected because you want above all to save your club. But when you’re quieter, it’s an important competition for all teams. I believe that the supporters, the teams want to win titles. And there, in six or seven matches, you can be titled.
Do you consider yourself a leader as some of your teammates or your coach claim?
When you have the confidence of the club, of the staff, it’s easier. It’s something that I have always had in me even if when you arrive in a new club, a new country, it is more complicated. It’s natural for me to help my teammates. I believe that it’s easier for the team when you have three or four leaders.
“I think I have become important”
Did you expect to become indispensable to this team?
I had just lived through two complicated years on my own. When I signed for FC Nantes, I told myself that I wanted to be important for the club and the team. At the end of 2021, I believe that I have become important but I want to continue to improve.
What has changed since your arrival?
When I arrived, the team was not well. I had a lot of waste on a lot of things, I thought too much about the match before. I am someone who watched the matches two or three times to find out what I had not done well and to improve. But sometimes you have to move on. And when Antoine Kombouaré arrived, he immediately gave me back my confidence.
Has he become a coach that matters in your career?
Sure. When he arrived I was in a worse time. I didn’t play a lot. I had family problems. He immediately trusted me and I try to give it back to him by helping the team.
After your last season, would you have thought you were 7th in mid-season?
It would have been complicated to think that when we had just chained four coaches. We are happy but we remain humble because everything is going very quickly in Ligue 1. We must continue to work very well.
Do you see yourself in the long term at FC Nantes?
Honestly, I don’t think about that. There, I am at a time when I want to progress. In football, it’s very complicated to have those moments like this when you’re happy to come and train every day. I only think about the next game, the next training session. I’m hungry.