In search of consistency and results, the Parisian club, which had to deal with special preparation because of Christmas, moves this Saturday to the Toulouse ogre.
A more than full-bodied Boxing Day for the Stade Français Paris. While the 13th day is marked by the postponement of matches due to the surge in Covid cases, the Parisians are spared the positive cases and are moving this Saturday (9:05 p.m.) to Ernest-Wallon to challenge Stade Toulousain, champion of France and Europe in title. Everything but a Christmas present. Especially since Gonzalo Quesada’s team had to deal with a special week of preparation, due to the holidays.
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What the Argentinian technician recognized at a press conference: “Yes, it’s a bit of a weird preparation with Christmas. We had two choices, either to train and leave on December 25, or to leave on the 26th. We chose not to ruin the 25th of the players and not to make a set-up on Christmas Day. Too complicated.” Suddenly, the Pink Soldiers will rally to the Pink City on Sunday, the day of the match. “We are going to have a very short night on Saturday where we will not sleep very much,” continues Quesada. And we’ll take a plane early in the morning. Then we will return Monday in the middle of the day. It is not the best preparation, but it is a correct preparation and we will see Sunday evening … “
“Classic” less flashy
Before the European window (defeat at Connacht, postponement of the match against Bristol), the Parisians had managed to stop a series of three losses in a row in the Top 14, by disposing of Stade Rochelais (25-20) at Jean-Bouin. Giving ourselves a little air in the standings (10th), with five points ahead of Perpignan, 13th. Confirming against Toulouse promises to be difficult for the capital club. Because the “Classic” of French rugby in the 2000s has lost some of its glitz in recent seasons. Reverse dynamics. When the Toulousains were able to get out of the bottom of the wave and find the outposts, the Parisians regularly had their heads under water.
We don’t want to be just the team that comes across for the Christmas show at the Stadium. We want to be at the level of the event
Gonzalo Quesada
“For several years, the cards have been redistributed, clubs have become very big clubs, recognizes Gonzalo Quesada unvarnished. And our season cannot allow us to speak of a great “Clasico”.“And to insist:”Toulouse is the model to follow, a very stable club that has been able to go through difficult times by establishing a medium and long-term project with a certain idea of the game, a culture and a club identity. We go there with a lot of humility. But we don’t want to be just the team that comes across for the Christmas show at the Stadium. We want to be at the level of the event and respect this poster.»
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Fall Champions?
As for the Rouge et Noir, reigning French and European champions, we do not intend to fall into the trap of the easy. In what state of mind will Antoine Dupont and others be on Sunday? Even if their staff did not impose food restrictions on them, Ugo Mola’s players will surely not have taken the log twice before pushing back the grounds. “They are tall and responsible and know what is good and what is not”, underlined Toulouse defense coach Laurent Thuéry.
“You have to be in good shape on Sunday, that’s all, supports the international third-line Selevasio Tolofua. It’s our job, it’s our performance that counts. You have to be careful each on your own and not arrive with a few extra pounds. ” Stade Toulousain recently lost the lead of the Top 14 to Bordeaux-Bègles, convincing winner at Chaban-Delmas (17-7). If successful, Ugo Mola and his players would be sure to get back their property and finish “autumn champions” (admittedly, in the depths of winter), since the UBB match in Toulon was postponed due to of the Covid. Toulouse are not used to giving their opponents a lot of gifts …
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