This Sunday, the 11th day of Ligue 1 closes with the Classico between PSG and OM.
But, there will also be the Spanish version with the biggest club game in the world between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. _And for the first time, this season, it will be tinted with Navy and White._Indeed, the two former jewels of the Girondins de Bordeaux training center, Jules Koundé and Aurélien Tchouaméni will face each other from 4:15 p.m.
The first joined Catalonia this summer while the second headed for the Spanish capital. A very special match is announced between the two friends from the Bordeaux region. André Pénalva, educator at the Girondins de Bordeaux for nearly 20 years, had Jules Kounde
and Aurelien Tchouameni
under his command in U17 a few years ago. He confides his pride today.
How do you feel before this classico?
It’s a lot of fun. When we have trained players, but also men, especially since they are two very good guys, it is of course a source of pride to see them at this level. I’m really proud. Proud of what I did with them. I was not the only one but I had my share.
Do you think they could both reach this level?
Frankly, at the age when I had them, no. Because there had been phenomena before them and they hadn’t necessarily succeeded in breaking through. I speak especially for Jules, he was totally above the others. But then find them today at this level, I really did not think! And neither, I prefer to be frank with you. Looking back, I realized that they had reached this level above all thanks to their intelligence, their professionalism, their commitment, their behavior… That’s what made the difference beyond their qualities. I had other players who had superior qualities but they had something else, the tactical sense and really this professionalism.
© AFP
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Frank Fife
Two good kids as they say…
Yes but very different, one and the other. Me, I had more affinities with Jules. But in the end, it was above all two reliable guys as they say, two guys you can count on. In the field of course, but also in the human relationship. In the regularity of performance, they were already above the others and at 16-17 years old, it is not easy. Normally in adolescence, young people have very irregular performances but not them.
Are these the two players who reached the highest level with you?
Yes of course ! There is one at Real, another at Barça, I can hardly do better (smiles). Afterwards I knew Saivet, Benrahou or even today the little Lacoux and Delaurier-Chaubet. But frankly at this level, no there are no others. But I admit that I did not see such a trajectory for both of them, it’s magnificent!