Gregory Lorenzi, sporting director of Stade Brestois, spoke to Canal+ about the draw for the Champions League play-offs (February 11-12 and 18-19) with Paris Saint-Germain as opponents. It’s not the most pleasing prospect possible, but there’s no question of complaining about the situation.
Lorenzi “It’s just a pleasure to be here”.
Are you disappointed ?
No, we’re already very happy to have qualified for the play-offs. It’s just a pleasure to be here. It’s worth pointing out that at the start of the competition we were the minnows. So it’s an achievement to be here.
After that, of course, we know Paris. It’s part of the magic of Europe to play a foreign team, which is why we would have preferred Benfica. But we can’t afford to say that it’s not a good draw, we can continue this adventure and that’s positive. And at least 2 clubs will be in the last 8, which is good for French soccer.
We’re used to playing PSG, like tomorrow in the league. This one’s a bit much. But we’ll be under no pressure. They’ll be afraid of not getting through. We’ll be the little thumbscrews. We’ve done some exceptional things since the start of the campaign, and we’re going to play them to the hilt anyway. We’re going to do everything we can to play two great games.
Lorenzi “there’s the disappointment of not discovering something. But you have to accept it.”
Is there anything you need to change mentally to forget PSG’s domination of the domestic scene ?
The competition is special, you can see the difference on the pitch. Even unconsciously. That will still be the case. It’s also up to us to create that extra spirit. There’s also the return trip. We’re lucky enough to know them, to be able to analyze them well. It’s good to be there, but we have to remain modest about it all. Even if there’s the disappointment of not discovering something. But you have to accept that.
