VIDEO. Starleague. “We lacked extra soul”, “Patrice bit me and I don't really like it when it doesn't have to be”: reactions after Usam – MHB

The Nîmes had all the trouble in the world to find the solution in attack. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Montpellier Handball imposed itself with authority on its neighbor Usam Nîmes (16-27) this Sunday, March 3, causing satisfaction or dismay, depending on where you stand from a side or the other of Vidourle. 

Nîmes 

Yann Balmossière, coach of Usam Nîmes: "We cannot play a derby without total commitment . From the start of the match, we paid cash for this lack.

We don't win duels, we are timid, timid, slow in attack, all amplified by the defensive quality of the MHB. We lacked extra soul, madness. Conceding 27 goals against them is far from catastrophic, but only scoring 16…"

Julien Rebichon, captain of Usam Nîmes:"We broke our teeth on their defense. Technically, nor tactically, we were not up to par. Montpellier was superior to us. Even if we only concede 27 goals, it’s not possible to win a Starligue match when we only score 16 goals. We missed our start to the halftime match. Immediately, it gives us a headache, we doubt. Behind, we have opportunities to come back but ultimately, we shoot at the post, next to it…"

Montpellier 

Patrice Canayer, MHB coach:"We can't say that there was no match, you just have to see what physical state the players were in after the match. But we got the hang of it very quickly, holding the grip for 60 minutes without letting go. It was a very good match, I said well done to the players because we were in a delicate period and they rallied together and put in a big match. And thank you because they allowed me to finish in a derby with more than ten goals difference in Nîmes, it hasn't happened that often. 

"It will allow me to return to Montpellier with my head held high, there was the Mayor of Montpellier in the locker room, I said that I could walk with my head held high in Nîmes and Montpellier, so it suits me very well because they are my two favorite cities. Our goal is always to qualify for the Champions League, even if I won't play next season, I'm very keen to ensure that this group of players can do it, so we're going to beat."

"The two teams approached this match in very different psychological ways. In a way, you helped us a little too. We were a little in doubt but we had still just played Plock, Paris and Veszprém in the Champions League. I wasn't really satisfied, I told the players, it's perhaps a bit logical when there are so many matches. J

I found that they had slowed down a bit on training and matches, so we discussed it. I'm lucky to have a group of players with whom I can talk, I told them how I felt. So it hurts and they don't agree with me but I think it made them think and the important thing is the reaction they had. This evening I rediscovered the values ​​that I like to see in this team. That is to say a lot of commitment and consistency for 60 minutes. Nîmes was undoubtedly surprised by this intensity."

Valentin Porte, captain of MHB: "We experienced complicated moments with these three defeats in a row, certainly against big teams, but the face didn' hadn't been perfect. With physical and mental fatigue, especially in the Veszprém match where we were not up to the task in terms of investment. There was a lot of pressure, questioning, discussions but I told the staff that I believed in this team and that we had to leave the Nîmes match to us because I felt that # 39;there was something to do. 

Honestly, I didn't think so much. You can say a lot of things in handball, but doing them… When I see everyone at 120% when the match is over, the state of mind is impeccable and I'm ready to go. #39;would like to see about the rest of the season. It's this kind of match that gives me hope.

"The season is difficult for everyone, we all have ailments, me too. Patrice stung us, he stung me too and I don't really like being stung when I think it has no reason to be. So this evening, I was extremely motivated, and what I'm happy with is that the rest of the team was too. It allowed me to have a very big match. Above all, I wanted to set an example on the pitch and in the end I was followed by the whole team. And it’s just happiness, you have to enjoy it because it’s not like that every day. 

Rémi Desbonnet, MHB goalkeeper:"We came with things to show, we have just had a very very complicated 15 days, which happens when you play in a club as ambitious as Montpellier and have three defeats in a row. We came with the desire to prove a lot of things to ourselves first, to our staff, our management and our supporters. I think it's done. 

It's always an emotion to play at Parnasse, I had very little part in the victory during the derby here. So I was very happy to be able to express myself and with an evening like that… When you're a goalkeeper and you concede 16 goals, you can't ask for much better. Above all, it was crazy to play with a defense of such intensity, such consistency in the rotations throughout the match. 

Valentin Porte is used to being in the oven and the mill in our team, he takes on a lot of responsibility and is put forward a lot as captain. And it's not always easy to be focused on the game and be able to devote all your energy to the game. I think that this evening, he showed himself to be a leader and as we like him to be. see. By first being impeccable on the pitch, by being an incredible player, so behind it we all want to put ourselves on the level of a guy like that."