Brest – MHSC: “Our second part of the season can be very exciting”, assures Jordan Ferri, the Montpellier midfielder

Jordan Ferri veut que son équipe en fasse plus sur le plan offensif. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Le milieu de terrain de Montpellier fait preuve d'optimisme à l'aube de la seconde moitié de saison et du déplacement à Brest, dimanche.

"These first matches of the year will determine the rest of the season" promised the experienced Montpellier midfielder Jordan Ferri, two days before the trip to Brest during the 18th day of Ligue 1.

Jordan, have you started a new cycle ?

It's been better in recent matches. We don't lose anymore. We have had a good start to the year, which is always a special moment. We passed this round against Amiens despite a complicated match. We remain on a positive note to attack the second part of the season.

We want to continue with what we did at the end of the first part of the season.

We rectified things well in front of big teams in our championship. We lose fewer points, we concede fewer goals, but we lack a little success and offensive efficiency.

Brest had a great first part of the season, won at home and we are keen to catch up.

Do you have the feeling that the second part of the season could be diametrically opposed to the first ?

Of course, we do everything we can for that. We are not dropped in the championship. If we manage to string together a positive series, we can catch up with those who precede us. And we can move away from the teams behind us, who are starting to win too. It gets super tight.

These first matches of the year will be ultra-important and will determine the rest of the season. It's up to us to start it in a serious way, to take advantage of the return of important players and to do the work while waiting for the return of the players present at the CAN.

We can enjoy a nice run in the Coupe de France. We can have a very exciting second half of the season.

🎙 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑭
🗣 Jordan Ferri

⚡️#SB29MHSC pic.twitter.com/Ie5mJfCNrP

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) January 12, 2024

One of the conditions is to regain offensive efficiency. Is this a cause for concern ?

It's not a worry. There are great strikers who cannot find the net for a period of time. Our attackers have the support of the entire squad, we talk a lot among ourselves. All it takes is a little click, and a goal, for everything to start again. It doesn't have much to do with it mentally.

Do you have the impression that the change in system changed everything ?

We conceded too many goals in our weak moments, so we felt fragile at that level. The coach rectified that by putting more weight and more people in our area, which reassured us defensively.

It's up to us not to neglect the offensive aspect. Like Lens. This team is very solid defensively and offers an exciting game to bring people into the opposing area. This requires a lot of running and effort.

Were you afraid in front of Marseille that the incidents would lead to the same effects as Clermont ?

We know that real supporters are there to support the team, sometimes individuals go the wrong way. This can penalize us. Fortunately, the (disciplinary) committee did not penalize us on a sporting level. It's a lesser evil.

Now, with every firecracker, we fear that the match will end, that points will be taken away from us.

League 1 ranking

Are you surprised by Brest's fourth place ?

Brest is continuing what it has been doing for several seasons. He loses very few players. And, this group seems to be living very well too.

We save time when the workforce doesn't move. This makes their start to the season easier.

Brest stuck to what it did very well last season.

For our part, we have experienced a lot of changes. This requires the players to adapt to the system, to the coach's message. It takes time for the alchemy to take hold.

I'm not surprised by Brest, but it's up to them to be good over time.

Keep special memories of the final two matches in Brest, in particular the 7-0 ?

I think there was the coach in front, too (laughs).

Last year, we won twice against this team. But, this season, like the first leg, Brest has gained a lot of confidence after its good first part of the season.

I'll sign for a similar result. Already, a victory would do us good and would reinforce what we have done well recently.