Paulo FsececaCoach of Portuguese of Olympique de Lyonwas encouraged by the opportunity to face the Manchester United In the first leg of the quarterfinals of Europe League (This Thursday at 9:00 pm). In an interview with the English newspaper ‘The Guardian’, the Portuguese coach, who changed the team’s dynamics for less than three months, said that motivation for his players was the fuel for miracles: “This kind of motivation can perform miracles,” he said.
From his arrival at the club, the Lyon He won eight of the 11 games played, a significant improvement compared to the beginning of the season. However, FONECA He faces a personal challenge after being suspended at nine months of domestic parties after confrontation with referee Benoît Millot in a match against Brest in early March. Although he may not be on the bench or talk to his team until November 30, he can access the locker room and the tunnel until September 15. Meanwhile, UEFA competitions offer you a break.
“The only positive point of this whole situation is that I have a different perspective to see the game,” he explained FONECA. “It’s easy to see where I am today. The hardest thing is not to interact with players before or during games, or at rest. Things are harder to manage. But we are well fixed and we make good preparation. Even so far, things will be fine.”
In spite of the situation, FONECA She felt like she had made a scapegoat. The incident included Millot He was recorded and presented the technician screaming and pushed his head toward the referee during the VAR review by a possible penalty in favor of Brest. Although Fonseca admitted that his behavior was futile, he felt his punishment was not proportional and, according to him, a reflection of French football problems.
“It’s amazing,” he said FONECA In the penalty, which is imposed only three days after its offense. “Of course, what I did was not right and I should pay it. But I shouted the referee, I had no contact with him or made any [violencia]. They wanted to make an example for France’s football, I don’t think I pay not for what I did, but once we live. But it shouldn’t be an example, I just have to pay for what I did. “
However, FONECA She felt like they had left her hanging to dry. The video of that meeting Millot It’s not good. This occurred during the VAR review by a possible penalty in favor of Brest And anyone who saw FONECA Shouted the referee in the face, pushed his head toward him, he would expect an appropriate penalty. He knew that his behavior was futile, but he felt that the incident was focused on the focus for greater problems within the Ligue 1. A week before, the president of Marseille, Pablo Longoria, was suspended 15 games after accusing the referees of corruption; In a fever climate, Fonseca felt that she had made a mistake at the worst possible time.
“It’s not fair, but we’re fighting this decision and I think things can change. It’s hard to understand, when we see so many of these situations in all countries and no one has received a penalty as I have.”
Will appeal to the decision on Monday
FONECA will appeal to the decision next month, and received support, among others, Jürgen KloppWho spoke in his favor. Besides, FONECA Thanks for the support of John TextorThere is LyonWho can decide to do without a new hired coach. “That made me feel strong and wanted to move on,” Foneca added. “It’s surprising. When you have a lot of support, you have to fight, believe what you can do for the club.”
The beginning of his period was disturbed. In June, FONECA He was appointed coach of MilanBut he lost his position four days after Christmas, when the team was in the eighth position of Series A. FONECA He does not want to go to the details about his departure, but points out that he wants to have more time to continue his work.
“We will see the last decade of MilanThey won A series Sometimes, “he said.” It was a difficult time for them. It gave me a lot of fun to be with there and I really regret I didn’t have time to continue my work. I think the mind in Italy is quite different from that Englandwhere the coach was given time. But they live football there. “
Yet, yet FONECA has quickly recovered the impulse to Lyon. The victory over his exequipo Lille Last week he approached two points of return to Champions LeagueA competition that the team has been out of for five years. “When we arrived, I found the same players with the same quality we see today, but I don’t think they are well fixed and there is no approach,” he explained. “We try to make them play as a team, with a clear wishes in the game. And the improvement comes because they understand that, when we add their quality to teamwork, the results are obtained.”
FONECA intending to return to Lyon The glory that was satisfied with the club in the 2000s, though it knew it would not be easy in a league managed by Psg. “We know that there is a good gap between them and the rest, because the investment is different,” he said. “But I love the LIGUE 1. This year we have seven teams fighting for positions of Champions“
After passing by Shakhtar Donetskwhere he achieved three consecutive league titles and reached the quarterfinals of Champions League, Fonseca It is clear that European football standards are rising, but afraid that competitive balance is in a certain situation: “We have the best show, but please don’t believe in a great gap between teams,” he warned. “Because probably what lives here, with the Psgit will be repeated in other countries and to Champions League. If you want to be competitive, you can’t make rich clubs and the hardest poor clubs. “
Words of praise his youth amorim
So far, FONECA Enjoy the opportunity to confront another Portuguese coach, Ruben Amorimthat there is also the task of returning a giant to the path of glory. “Very honest, very humble,” he said Amorim. “Arrival as Ruben did, without time to work, just to play games, it’s hard. Even if you are a coach with a clear identity. But in my opinion, over time, he will do good things and I hope people Manchester Appreciate your quality. “
She is Lyon Surely applaud the accomplishments of FONECA If you manage to achieve an important continent trophy for them. “I hope to stay here for a long time and build something special,” he concluded. Whether from the bench or not, he hopes to help Lyon reach the top again.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
