On the training grounds of the Toulouse Stadium, the sessions have been training for the past few days, around coach Philippe Montanier. The TFC, champion of France in Ligue 2, returns to Ligue 1 on August 7, with the reception of Nice.
The TFC is in its final stretch of preparation for the season. Are you fixing the final details?
Yes, we can say that. We refine, we refine, even if it’s already been more than a year that we rub shoulders with players, with even a few arrivals. But now, we are refining certain details on the animation of the game, whether defensive or offensive.
Is it important to have a group that has mostly remained the same?
Yes, I think that it’s important to have some continuity and despite everything, it is also necessary to bring a little freshness. And then also a little more talent so that we try to perform at our best this season.
Because there was not enough talent at Téfécé?
(Laughs) Yes, yes, yes! But we are always looking for quality players.
How do you feel about things since resuming training?
Personally, I feel very good. I think that everyone is very concerned about this new challenge. It’s something we were eager to find. So we have recovered well after experiencing great emotions last season. And I hope that we will also experience some very good ones this season.
What does it fundamentally change to find Ligue 1? In terms of commitment, desire, is it really different?
I think it’s different in everything. I think that the gap between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 is very important. Even if Ligue 2 in recent seasons has still been quite high. But Ligue 1 is something else. It’s faster, it’s stronger, it’s more intense. There is also everything next to the field that is different. But I think we prepared well for that.
There are things you insisted on maybe a little more in training, because the level will be higher?
The coach (Philippe Montanier) has much emphasis on technical qualitywhich is a big, big difference with Ligue 2. So I think the players applied themselves, applied a lot to technical accuracy.
First match against Nice at the Stadium: do you already have it in mind?
Of course we think about it. We will have done a big and good preparation of more than six weeks to start this season. We are lucky to start it at home in front of our supporters. So we hope that many will come to support us and that we start the season well.
Do you want to rediscover this fury of the supporters that we experienced last season? In Ligue 1 it will not be more complicated to seduce?
We suspect that it will be difficult to make the same series and the same number of victories as we were able to do last season. But that doesn’t change the fact that for us, supporters will be very important. Maybe even more this season than the previous season. So we will need them in every game, their support to push us in difficult times, to galvanize us when we need it.
Will we have to collect points from the start of the championship?
I’m not going to be silly, but all the matches will be important. And maybe precisely, the start of the season will be even more important for us as promoted. Because the season is a bit special with the World Cup, and this break in the November-December break. So the points taken at the start of the season will no longer be taken. So I think it’s important to get off to a good start.
Have you set yourself a goal? Maintenance, or higher?
The goal is not to set limits, to aim as high as possible. First, maintain yourself as quickly as possible. And then afterwards… Have a lot of fun.
On a personal level, do you feel untouchable in your position as goalkeeper? Kjetil Haug, who arrived this summer, said he was ‘ready to enter the competition’
It’s normal. This is the case in all clubs, so it allows you to raise your level. I am happy with my preparation which is going well. I don’t consider myself untouchable at all, but I’m doing whatever it takes on and off the pitch to keep playing.