“There are necessarily roles in teams and I know that mine is substitute”: at the MHB, Kylian Prat is biding his time

Despite little playing time, Kylian Prat has the full support of his coach. Midi Libre - Michael Esdourrubailh

Blocked at the left-back position by Ahmed Hesham and Bryan Monte, Kylian Prat is taking his troubles patiently at MHB, before hosting Chambéry, Friday October 18 (8 p.m.), during the 7th day of Starligue. Portrait.

In his time, Patrice Canayer said of himself that he ate, breathed and dreamed handball. Not surprising when you have a father who was a pro for a dozen years and a brother who played in Aix-en-Provence, with whom he both debriefs each match. At 20, Kylian Prat realized his dream, that of becoming a professional handball player, what's more in a club as legendary as the MHB.

Revealed last year when it was necessary to replace the numerous injured players at short notice while he was only a reserve player, Montpellier made him sign a professional trainee contract. Before being completely one at the end of the season, for the next three to come.

Starligue: the ranking and the program of the 7th day

“I was very very happy because I did not necessarily expect it since I still had one year left at the training center, explains the 1.91 m left back. I was very happy with the confidence that the staff and the president have in me, it was a dream."

Healthy competition 

The native of Blanc-Mesnil (Seine-Saint-Denis) was nevertheless warned: things were not going to happen like the previous season. At least at the beginning. Ahmed Hesham returned from injury, and here he is relegated to third place in the hierarchy in the position, behind Bryan Monte. But he's happy with crumbs.

“I know there are some great players ahead of me, he describes.They're inspiring and teach me a lot of things. It's not unhealthy competition, they're very good friends. Of course, I'd prefer to play more. But I accept it. There are definitely roles in teams and I know that mine is substitute. So I'm waiting for my hour."

Mathé: "I am completely satisfied with him"

And that is all that pleases his trainer, Érick Mathé. "I am completely satisfied with him. He is a boy who does not have much playing time, he knows why. But he always trains hard, he never balks. He takes everything there is to take. And that is great. However, it is not easy to spend matches on the bench and give your all for 10 minutes. He does it", describes Mathé.

Read also: "Beyond handball, it will not be an easy exercise on an emotional level" : with the MHB, Érick Mathé will host his former club Chambéry

While knowing full well that a season will be made of team management, especially if the MHB goes far in the European Cup and additional injuries come to fill the infirmary. Prat's patience is therefore his best asset.

“It can also be a weak point if I am too much, he said to himself. Because after a while, you end up not wanting to anymore. But now, I have it clearly. I will be there, whether it is for small parts of matches or not. I am waiting for it and I am patient, always determined.”

The match: Chambéry, necessarily special

The last time Chambéry came to Montpellier, Érick Mathé was sitting on the Savoyard bench. A year, a month and a day later, here he is on the Montpellier team, this Friday (8pm) for a new Clasico of the French championship.

A match that is necessarily special for the MHB and its coach. “Thursday morning, I concentrated on not mixing up the names of the start-ups, many of which are identical, smiles the adopted Savoyard. Beyond handball, emotionally, it’s an exercise that is not simple."  For this match, Pellas will be back after his absence during the success à Granollers (24-28) Nacinovic.