After an incredible first part of the season (2nd), Red Star lost (1-0) this Saturday at leader Troyes in the shock of this 18th day of L2. The fault lies in a failed first act and a deficit in the last gesture at the end of the match. The Tunisian international (28 caps) and former Marseillais Saîf Eddine Khaoui (30 years old), hub of the Audonian midfielder, calls for more pragmatism on the pitch to win the next big matches during the return phase in order to stay at the top of the rankings.
What feeling prevails after this match?
SAÎF-EDDINE KHAOUI. Disappointment! We hoped for a better result for this resumption after the break. We must also congratulate the opponent who analyzed us well. In the first half, the Trojans made it difficult for us to get our balls out. We had difficulty putting our game together. We will have to learn lessons and improve things for the rest of the championship.
Did you know how to handle the event?
The objective was clear, it was to leave with at least one point. We should have been smarter. We must be more mature for the future.
Is there a little concern not having won a match (except the victory on the green carpet in Bastia) for a little over two months (2-1 against Saint-Étienne)?
No not at all. There is no worry. We would have signed at the start of the season to be in that place (2nd). Now, there are still shocks that will happen during the second part of the season. So, it’s up to us to go back and focus on ourselves.
When you find yourself second in the championship halfway through the season, do you think about moving up?
It’s going to be harder and harder because the teams have analyzed us. It will be even more complicated to play and take three points each time. The objective is to glean the last points for maintenance. And then, like all teams, it’s about winning the matches.
What more would need to be done in this team to have the capacity to move up to L1 at the end of the season?
We have to be more pragmatic on the pitch and know why we are starting the match, why we are playing the match. That’s it for the three points! If we only want to play well, bring out the ball all the time and not necessarily be effective in both zones, it will become complicated. First of all, as an attacking midfielder, I want to play and I like the beautiful game but sometimes you have to alternate. We must not forget that the objective of a match is to win it. When you’re a little worse off, you have to know how to leave with at least one point. Today, we were unable to do it and our opponents were very effective. And us, a little less, since we had the situations. We showed a better face after the break, we pushed. Unfortunately, we didn’t score but we shouldn’t be worried for the moment.
To what extent can you bring your experience to your teammates?
I try to be an example especially outside and on the field. Afterwards, I am not someone who will speak all the time in the locker room. I’m more of a technical leader.
Are there any hopes for Red Star during this second part of the season?
Of course ! There are still 16 games left. We will believe it until the end.
