Clermont-Ferrand (AFP)
ASM Clermont-Auvergne scrum captain and a half Morgan Parra admits that playing a quarter-final of the European Cup on Saturday against Racing, a knockout match from the third weekend of the season, "is peculiar and unusual ".
"There is a part of the unknown, because we did not have these friendlies to put us in confidence", underlines Parra while the ASM remains on a defeat in Bayonne (21-19).
Q: How did you resume the week of training after this defeat in Bayonne in the league (21-19)?
A: "The video was telling. We analyzed the match and a meeting together to see what had not been and why. When we do a collective performance like in Bayonne, where we completely miss the point in the 'commitment, we are all a little recovered. We felt it in training. We are aware of our performance in the Top 14 against a Bayonnaise team that is difficult to move and we want revenge. When we do not put the commitment to this sport is complicated. Bayonne bothered us in the one-on-one and the rucks stages. She won her duels. Physically, we were there, but in the head, we didn't not put the necessary commitment and we lose too many balls to materialize in the first half ".
Q: Do you worry about it before you face Racing 92?
A: Of course it is better to chain victories.
It is perhaps a reminder because we know the quality of Racing 92, its players as well as the fight that must be put in front of them.
If we do not answer present, we can take thirty or forty (points) at home.
We can say that Bayonne was an accident and that we can make up for it this weekend.
Hope this is an accident.
Saturday, there is no room for error.
We offered this quarterback at home, even if it is not the same team.
From the third weekend, we play a European Cup elimination match.
It's special, it's unusual.
We will try to be present and strong on Saturday.
There is a part of the unknown, because we did not have these friendlies to give us confidence.
Against Toulouse, we were looking for progress but we are average and, in Bayonne, we are not going out with certainties.
I hope we will be there ".
Q: Playing the first phase of this competition with one team and the second with another, is it disturbing?
A: "What is annoying is not to have players like Ulugia, Toeava or Zirakashvili any more. They will not have the chance to finish this European Cup when they fought for this quarter at the It's a new season and a new European Cup, except that we are attacking it directly on a quarter. For me, it's not the same competition. There is a new squad, we are coming out of confinement and preparation ... "
Q: It's the same poster as in April 2018 (in the quarterfinals, Racing 92 won the Michelin 17-28).
What do you have left of this defeat and how do you see the match on Saturday in front of an influx of 5,000 people?
A: "They are the same clubs, but the stadium will not be full. In 2018, we were in a very complicated season. There will be additional French referees."
Q: How do you judge your opponent's start to the season?
A: "Like last season, they are in place defensively and on the winning streak. On the basics ... They have a fluid game, they are confident, they are good as we can see during their victory in Montpellier. They have a lot of certainties about their game and the basics.
Interview at a press conference
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