The left winger of Cavigal de Nice, Jeremi Pirani, shared his thoughts on the start of the season and the performance of the team. Individually, he is currently one of the most effective players in Proligue and a spearhead of the red and black attack. However, the team results are not going in favor of the Azur team. His speech full of desire and determination gives hope for the future of the championship and his career.
The interview took place following the match against Nancy on October 21 (lost 25-30).
Despite a comeback in the second half, you lost against the league leader, what is your feeling about the match?
A feeling of disappointment is evident because we always want to win matches, even against the leader. Little details make it so that today we can’t win against a team aiming for promotion to Star League. In this match, we could have won. With more work, desire, and intensity, we will win matches here or away. Today we finished less than five goals behind and indeed at one point the gap was eight. It’s that moment that caused us to lose tonight. We were in it the whole way but the return from the locker room hurt us.
In the first matches, you played a lot on the wings with many counterattacks. What made you start on the bench tonight and why was the system different?
Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that every time I’m on the field, I try to play the counterattacks fully while bringing what I have to offer. As for the game plan and my time on the field, I can’t tell you. Those are the coach’s choices and he adapted the game plan to that of Nancy.
With one game less, you’re among the top scorers in the championship. Are you interested in this ranking?
Personal performance allows us to judge ourselves but I don’t dwell on it too much. I play the matches as I feel, and right now, I am confident and have the coach’s confidence which helps me be efficient and focused. But yes, when you are a high-level player, you always look at your performances and the ranking. Now it’s true that we also think a lot about the team, and I would really love for us all to secure a first victory together.
We see you succeeding greatly at 7m, how do you manage to ignore the pressure? To recall, tonight you were 6/6 in this exercise.
It’s a job throughout the career, so to speak, because I am still young even though I am among the oldest in the squad (laughs). It’s a habit; since the lower categories, I’ve been taking those penalties with surrounding pressure. When I get to the 7m point, I have only one goal in mind. I don’t hear what’s happening around; it’s my duel against the goalkeeper.
After a challenging 2019/2020 season, what has made you return to your best level?
I couldn’t explain it, I arrived at a club where the coach immediately trusted me and gave me responsibilities. For him, past years don’t matter, and I have complete confidence, which indeed helps because last season was delicate. Currently, with the team and the coach, that’s what has helped me return to my best level. I joined a team that made me feel comfortable on and off the field. This factor is important for a player who wishes to be effective.
On a collective level, after this start to the season, have the objectives changed?
No, they haven’t changed because the season is still long. We started poorly, we know it, and we are working on our flaws. We are in a delicate position but we aren’t panicking. We know that victories will come and that a positive dynamic will help us climb the ranks. The goal is to stay in the league, and more if really there is a possibility. We must keep the right to dream in the back of our minds.
How are your teammates experiencing the start of the season?
They feel the same way I do. We are disappointed, and we wanted to do better. The level of concentration is there during training and on weekends. Naturally, we are always sad about a defeat or a draw. The team spirit will allow us to bounce back quickly and seek our first victory in this championship.
