Football – Alain Geiger: “We would like to continue on the dynamic of the Nati”

Servette FC has been at work in the Marseille region since Wednesday. The garnet club will face Olympique de Marseille this Thursday evening in a preparation match (kick-off at 9 p.m., live on Canal + Sport). This meeting will take place in Fos-sur-Mer, at the Parsemain Stadium, the lair of FC Istres. Servettian coach Alain Geiger was reached on the phone a few hours before kick-off.

Alain Geiger, was the bouillabaisse good?

(He’s laughing) So we were not entitled to it, that was not the goal! However, we are in Fos-sur-Mer in a three-star hotel, and the weather is nice and warm. We therefore have better conditions than in Switzerland to train, and that feels good. In addition, the terrain is perfect.

How important is this match against OM?

After Dynamo Kiev, we wanted another European-caliber team, especially in anticipation of our two Conference League matches against Molde, next Thursday in Norway and the following Thursday in Geneva. Molde is a solid team, which leads its championship after thirteen days (editor’s note: 33 goals scored, 12 conceded). The Norwegians are in full swing, while we are still in the preparation phase. In these conditions, facing OM is a good thing.

OM is also a fascinating team. Do you feel a great desire among your players?

Obviously, there is a big motivation. At a time when image is so important to young people, there is no need to motivate them when it comes to facing players like Payet, for example. We will try to play on this state of mind to look good this Thursday evening.

And then, it will be the beginning of serious things …

Yes. We will train again in Fos-sur-Mer on Friday morning, and we will return to Geneva in the afternoon. After that, the players will have time off for the weekend. We will meet on Monday to prepare our first competition deadlines: in Molde, then in Sion, then at home against Molde and Lugano. That will make us four matches in ten days.

What is your objective on the European front?

We want to surf on what we have managed to do these last two seasons in the Super League: first a fourth place, then a third. And we especially want to represent Switzerland well at the continental level, especially since our national team has just made us dream of the Euro. We would like to be able to continue on this dynamic.

You mention the feat of Switzerland in Bucharest: you who are currently in France, do you feel that Swiss football has changed status after the victory of the Nati against the Blues (1-1 after, 5-4 tab)?

Ah yes, for sure! The people we meet, at the hotel or at the training ground, all say to us: “Ah, you beat us!” If we had come a month ago, no one would have paid attention to us… Somehow, it’s gratifying.