“The battle was intense”: Yohan Borg looks back on the USS Aigues-Mortes’ R1 title

Champions de la poule A de R1, Yohan Borg et l’USSA espèrent désormais aller chercher une nouvelle montée en N3. Midi Libre – THIERRY ALBENQUE

Champions of R1, Yohan Borg and the USS Aigues-Mortes (Gard) will now aim to climb to N3.

Yohan Borg, after winning the Gard Cup – Lozère last week, you are now guaranteed to finish at the top of your R1 group. What does this inspire you??

Already, the happiness of having gone to the end and winning the championship title. It’s never trivial when you finish first in a long marathon like this. I remember that we had already done the double five years ago, these are unforgettable moments in a career. But above all, I will remember the satisfaction of having given a lot of importance to the collective. Since the start of the season, we have had a real idea for a game and we have proven that this content can be rewarded. Especially since this year we came across a difficult and close championship, with very good teams. The battle was really intense, but when the outcome is positive as is the case for us, there is obviously a lot of joy when we reach the end.

We have often compared your R1 group to a mini-N3 championship. You who know the two levels perfectly, what do you think of this comparison?

We can actually say that our group was getting closer to a second part of the N3 table. In particular, there were several high-intensity matches, it was especially in the athletic dimension that I still saw a real difference between the two levels.

After your descent last summer to R1, was it important for the club to start moving forward?

Yes, totally. We must not forget where we come from. It’s never easy to bounce back when you are relegated, we often tend to get carried away by a negative spiral. Especially since we had a lot of complications between the number of departures, the presence of only four transfers on the match sheet and even the state of our pitch. But we always fought together. I also believe that all these difficulties have further strengthened all the emotions of the last few months.

You have nevertheless only gone part of the way, the rise to N3 will be played out this season in a play-off against the leader of Pool B. What do you think of this new formula ?

I am obviously not in favor of it. Whether it's us or our opponent in the play-off, you risk not progressing even though you've been fighting all season to finish on top. For me, it is an unsporting regulation, where we do not reward the boys who deserve it. But that's how it is, we're going to have to approach this match with a lot of determination and give our all to reach this climb to N3.

A more personal word about your time at the club. It’s a true love story that has linked you to the USSA for all these years.

Yes, I am used to being faithful, I have only played three clubs in my life: Nîmes Lasallien, Nîmes Olympique and the USS Aigues-Mortes as a player and coach. I have experienced a lot here over the past twenty years. I have enormous affection and attachment for the players, managers, volunteers and all those I have had the chance to know since my arrival.

How to manage to keep the flame alive after so much time ?

You have to constantly think, look for new things and find solutions to be demanding and stay attentive to your group. As a coach, we sometimes have to change certain things, refresh the squad by bringing in new faces. The risk is not reacting quickly enough when you feel that a cycle is ending. It's not easy every day when you work like this over time, but I'm proud of what we've accomplished over all this time.

Today, what is your dream with the USSA?

The only one I have today is to finish the season well and win this play-off. What happens next, I haven't looked into it, so we'll see in due time.

The USSA will play one last championship match before the play-off for the promotion to N3 (date and opponent to be defined), this Sunday, May 26 (3 p.m.), against the Nîmes Olympique reserve. I subscribe to read more