If he has been playing in Nantes since the fall of 2020, Sébastien Corchia had previously worn the red and white colors of Lille, then of Seville. In the North, for three seasons, the right-back had established himself as one of the very best French at his post in Ligue 1, to the point of being called up for the France team. Transferred to Andalusia in 2017, he had a more mixed adventure with the Rojiblancos due to injuries, before being loaned to Benfica Lisbon and then to Barcelona Espanyol. Before the meeting between Losc and Sevilla in the Champions League, Wednesday, October 20, he talks about his memories in the North and in Spain, and looks at the match.
Franceinfo: What memories do you keep of your visits to Lille and Seville?
Sébastien Corchia: In Lille, I had a great time. I have very good memories with coach Antonetti. I think I was evolving at my best level at that time, I discovered the France team. I have always had a good relationship with the supporters. Overall, playing for Losc was just happiness for me.
Then in Seville, it was my first experience abroad. It’s a big club where I had a blast for the first six months. I had played around 20 games until January. I think I adjusted well, but unfortunately I injured my thigh quite badly and it held me back. I was still able to discover a big club, with a big stadium. Playing Sanchez-Pizjuan is something, it gives you chills. It also allowed me to play in the Champions League, to realize my childhood dreams by confronting teams like Barça at Camp Nou. I have really great memories of both clubs.
You discovered the Champions League with Sevilla. What does this competition represent for the club, which performs well on the European scene?
That year, we made it to the quarter-finals. We eliminated Manchester United before being eliminated by Bayern Munich. The European Cup is very important to them. We all know their Europa League titles (six since 2006). When we played the Champions League, we felt a certain pressure. But there were also some in the league, we played at the top of the table and each match was at stake.
Does Seville have a particular playing identity?
Yes, they have the notion of moving ball play, lots of passing, side changes and attacking. It’s attacking football. They like to have the ball, hurt the opponent with technical players in front. Quite simply, it’s a big team.
Seville is in good shape in the league, while Lille is struggling in Ligue 1. How do you analyze the start of the Lille season?
I think we have to give them a little time. They are coming out of a very, very big season where they were champions. They have changed coaches, it has to start again. Before the break, they were on three consecutive victories so the situation is not alarming. They lost to Clermont, but Clermont made a very good start to the season, it’s a good team. They were underperforming but they will be keen to catch up in the Champions League. It’s a different context than the championship, and Losc remains a big team, with very good players, things are going very quickly forward.
What game do you expect for this confrontation between these two clubs?
I expect a tough game for both teams, with lots of chances on both sides. It will be a very open match, between two teams who like to attack. Sevilla like to have possession of the ball and Losc like to recover it and play quickly in space. They have a fiery attack that can go really fast, it will be a spectacular match, not to be missed. I’ll be in front of my TV to watch it.