Q: Your return to Lyon is accompanied by a controversy about a video and songs that would be neo-Nazi in nature, what is your point of view?

We distort in an immediately negative way without referring to the right song.

It has nothing to do with fascism.

So I'm surprised.

I arrive in Lyon with a positive energy that I want to display on the pitch to pass on to my teammates".

Q: You have also been criticized for anti-LGBT comments.

A: "I have taken a lot of stand, especially for Fifa and UEFA, against discrimination, racism with in particular support for Moïse Kean of Juventus or recently Samuel Umtiti, as well as for the rights of refugees. I I also supported the + Black Live Matter +. I always thought that discrimination had no place in the world of football and now I am attacked on this subject. As on LGBT, there has never been problem and I have never had a problem with all these subjects. In Lyon, ten years ago, I had also helped the foundation through several operations against discrimination".

Lyon's Croatian defender Dejan Lovren during a Ligue 1 match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and AC Ajaccio (ACA), September 16, 2012 in Lyon © JEFF PACHOUD / AFP/Archives

Q: How do you feel when you return to OL, where you played from 2010 to 2013?

A: "I'm very happy. The club has changed a lot. We were at Gerland. The infrastructure has evolved in an incredible way, in a very positive way. It's almost like in Liverpool. I'm waiting to start with positive energy. OL's season didn't start very well (the club is 8th in Ligue 1, editor's note) but we need to believe in ourselves, to have the support of the fans and not to give up".

Q: You are expected as the defensive boss the Lyon team needs.

What do you think ?

A: "The boss is just a word but we need everyone, on the pitch, on the bench. It starts in training. I've seen matches and we're too nice. Football, today, that's not it. I have a lot of experience, I want to put all that in the team. I want to win like in every club I've been to. I'm not just coming to play for a weekend. end out of two and finish seventh. That doesn't interest me".

Q: Does this athletic expectation around you bring positive energy?

A: "I hope so. I still really want to show. I left Lyon unsatisfied because I felt unfinished. It was difficult for me and the team. There were the pressure but we still won something (the 2012 French Cup) although it was difficult. Here, we are not allowed to lower our heads. We need to show a good attitude. We have to work a lot I am in good shape to start very quickly because I have just played the World Cup. Maybe as early as Wednesday in Nantes".

Interview by François-Jean TIXIER.

© 2023 AFP