Nice-Premiรจre: First, a few words about OL’s current news: What is your reaction to Diarra’s departure to Real Madrid? Is this proof that OL is still not a “Big European Club”?
Julien: Unfortunately, it proves that OL is not in the same league as the top Spanish or English clubs. For some of our best players, especially the younger ones, OL is a stepping stone to one of the top 3 leagues. A club like Real, despite a few lackluster seasons, is still very attractive to a football player because of its history, prestige, and of course, financial power. Diarra was undoubtedly one of the best players in Europe in his position, and his departure was inevitable. It is obviously a bit frustrating for a fan, especially since the season has already started, but we have to move on. But beyond OL, the best French clubs will not be able to keep their best players as long as there are such economic gaps with the top 3 leagues. This is not specific to OL, and I tend to think it was better to let Diarra go after his 4 seasons at the club.
Fab: I am of course very disappointed with Djilla’s departure, it indeed proves that while OL is a big French club, it is not enough and unfortunately, it is mission impossible to resist against the big European stables.
NP: Regarding arrivals, Alou Diarra has just signed and there’s talk of Joaquin. What do these players inspire in you? Who would you have preferred?
Julien: Regarding Diarra, his athletic qualities are undoubtedly impressive… but compared to Djilla Diarra, it must be acknowledged that the comparison is painful. He can probably bring something, in his style, but technically he scares me a bit. I’m waiting to see, hoping he will prove my pessimism wrong. Joaquin would be a great recruit; I have doubts about it happening, but I am convinced that he could make a significant contribution on the right side. I wouldn’t necessarily have preferred anyone else in his place. To mention Ribery, he is certainly a good player, but the media hype around him is tiring, and his hesitations and changes of mind made me not unhappy to see him stay at OM. If a player of Joaquin’s level were to sign, we really wouldn’t have anything to regret. In the defensive midfield position, players like Senna or Mascherano seemed more complete than Alou Diarra… but between my dreams as a supporter and reality…
Fab: The transfer of A.Diarra was finalized Wednesday, he is a player with great physical potential who still needs to progress tactically and in terms of playmaking… Joaquin remains for now just a rumor even though he is increasingly mentioned in the media, but he would be an excellent recruit for OL, a true right winger specialist, dribbler, passer, a player of great talent who would do us a lot of good.
Ribรฉry, with his versatility, would have been a good recruit too, but OM was inflexible, and it’s now ancient history.
NP: How do you judge the three recruits (Toulalan, Kallstrom, Squillaci)? What do you hope from these players? Will they be more like “Cris,” “Juninho,” or rather like “Frau,” “Monsoreau,” that is to say good players who did not manage to impose themselves at OL?
Julien: The first impression is very good. I already liked Toulalan a lot at Nantes. Everything is not yet perfect, he loses a lot of balls in the first matches, but he really has a superb spirit, he fights until the last minute… I think he will be the true replacement for Djila Darra.
Kallstrom does not seem to have really “let go” yet, we will have to see in the coming weeks. But his entry into the game at Bordeaux is promising; he should mainly be interesting in case of Juninho’s absence, which we missed last season.
For Squillaci, I would like to see him alongside Cris. His partnership with Cacapa in the first 2 matches did not always show absolute security, which is logical for a player who has just arrived. And it is obviously easier to evolve with a player like Cris. The recent small errors by Cacapa might indeed offer an opportunity for Squillaci to evolve in Nice.
I tend to think, especially for Toulalan and Squillaci, that they will impose themselves at OL. Perhaps not in the manner of Juninho or Cris, but they should especially be compared to players like Abidal and Malouda, who came from the French championship and who managed to find their place in the team and then in the French national team.
Fab: Toulalan now finds himself being Djilla’s successor, it will not be easy to make the Malian forgotten, but the former Nantes player has tremendous potential, I was already following him at the Canaries and he made a big impression, very likely a future pillar of the French national team…
Kallstrom was taken to double Juninho’s position. The Swede also has great potential. He allows us to multiply the options in midfield and should have playing time in a turn-over system this season…
Squillaci is a true specialist of the central defender position (unlike Monsoreau), he is here to compete with Cris and Caรงapa, thus we end up with 3 good central defenders, which isn’t a luxury over the long haul…
In summary, 3 good recruits who complement both quantitatively and qualitatively an already strong group.
NP: Are you satisfied with the first three matches? One might say that Lyon is in a settling phase with a realistic OL away and sluggish at home. Can you give us your impressions on each of them (Nantes-Lyon, Lyon-Toulouse, Bordeaux-Lyon)?
Julien: From a points perspective, we can only be satisfied with the start of the season. The difficulties of OL to make the difference at home were already present last season. The tactic, with an attacker often isolated against defensive packs is probably not unrelated. And these early season difficulties are ultimately present every year, probably due to physical preparation, and reinforced this season by the late return of the internationals.
The match in Nantes, although very complicated, was quite promising given the number of absentees. The team’s spirit was excellent, the team was realistic after that early goal. Against Toulouse, the team struggled massively to play, and Toulouse could have scored several times on counters. This draw was quite logical, even though that goal at the end of the game on a gross defensive error was frustrating.
Finally, the match in Bordeaux was probably the most complete in terms of play, especially in the first half. The internationals were on form, and we quite clearly dominated after the Bordeaux goal. We were shaken in the second half, probably the players suffered physically, but these are also especially the victories won in the dying moments, in a hostile atmosphere, that are the most beautiful.
Fab: For the restart in Nantes, OL mastered their subject after being led in the score and equalizing immediately, a very logical victory…
At home against TFC, we were much more laborious, the finishing wasn’t there and the Toulousans logically equalized at the end of the match and took the draw point… The first clash of the season in Bordeaux wasn’t simple either, but the team once again showed its ability to react. Overall, the Lyon victory doesn’t seem stolen to me, an excellent operation anyway those 3 points taken in Gironde.
In summary, that gives us 7 points taken out of 9 possible, with a small underperformance at home, OL is still far from its best level and can do much better in terms of finishing and physical impact.
NP: Let’s open the chapter “French National Team” and World Cup. How did you find the Gerland Boys (Wiltord, Govou, Malouda, Abidal but also Juninho, Fred, Kallstrom)?
Julien: Regarding the French team, Wiltord didn’t seem physically in the loop, it was logical that Ribery, given his form at the time, was a starter. Govou was finally rather a good surprise, after this choice by Domenech had been strongly discussed by the press. He seemed in good shape, and often brought something interesting during his late game entries. Malouda, after his operation, was in great difficulty during the first matches of this World Cup. But I liked his end of the tournament, he gained strength as it went on. Abidal was quite uneven, he seemed under pressure from the semi-finals, but his tournament was still satisfactory.
Juninho had earned his place in the Brazilian team thanks to his good performances and his goal in the first round. It’s a pity for him, but not for France, that he plunged like his whole team against our blues. I didn’t see all the matches of Kallstrom, but he seemed to make interesting entries. As for Fred, he was there at the right time and the right place to score his goal. Given the poor form of Ronaldo and Adriano, I think he could have had a bit more of a chance.
Fab: Malouda and Abidal were very good, it’s not for nothing that Domenech chose them to reform the left flank of OL at the Blues… Wiltord was rather very average, a bit short physically it seems… Govou made too short appearances to be judged in my opinion.
Otherwise, Juninho was rather disappointing, but he had a bit of a special place in this Selecao (12th or 13th player). He scored a superb goal then nothing thereafter… Fred also scored a goal, and had almost no playing time… Kallstrom was one of the best Swedes despite a rather defensive position unusual for him.
NP: As objectively as possible, what is your opinion on the Coupet-Barthez episode?
Julien: Trying to be objective, Coupet based on his value deserved to play this World Cup. But I can also understand Domenech’s position. After that, I quickly got tired of the “match” between these 2 goalkeepers for months. Especially since this duel then also concerned OL and OM supporters, who each supported their “protรฉgรฉ”. We’ve certainly talked way too much about that. Maybe Greg talked too much too, it could have hurt him. It’s a bit unfortunate that the choice wasn’t made simply based on the value of the 2 players, as was the case in Germany.
Fab: It was hyped up by the media, I found it rather lamentable. These 2 goalkeepers had a very similar level, Greg would also have deserved to be a starter, but Barthez had a good World Cup and there’s nothing to say about his performances.
NP: Let’s talk about the match on Saturday. If I say “OGC Nice” what immediately comes to your mind?
Julien: I immediately thought back to a nice goal by Juni at the end of a match in Nice a few seasons ago. Beyond this goal, from recent history, Nice rather has the image of a “generous” and aggressive team. With Gernot Rohr, this aspect was not necessarily perceived in a positive way. But I like the mindset of a coach like Antonetti, the team still seems to have these characteristics, but in a positive way, and with more game intentions. The club seems to be on the right track, hoping for OGC Nice the construction of this new stadium.
Fab: Team that practices quite physical play and doesn’t give up on the field, as well as a big and warm atmosphere at the stadium despite a modest capacity and of course a little thought for Flo Balmont, a former Lyonnais.
NP: Nice put OL in difficulty last year. Do you fear this trip to the Ray and which players do you dread at the Aiglons?
Julien: Obviously, the match doesn’t look easy. It’s not easy in normal times, but in addition Nice is in great need of points. With their end of last season, I thought the start of the season would go better. On the players’ side, we know Balmont well in Lyon, a great defensive midfielder, even if he hadn’t had much of a chance with us (and I understand he’s injured for this match). And upfront, Baky Konรฉ had a good last season, and Moussilou had done some good things at Lille before losing his place. And I also fear Rool, for our own players (I’m joking, he seems to have calmed down with age).
Fab: As every time, this trip will not be simple, especially since OL is now the team to beat on all pitches in France… Balmont, Ederson and B. Konรฉ are the 3 players to watch closely in my opinion.
NP: A word for the Nice fans?
Julien: May the best team win, hoping we see a good match, in a good spirit, on the field and in the stands.
Fab: Kudos for your fervor and the atmosphere you bring to the stadium, wishing you the best season possible.
NP: Finally, what is your prediction for Saturday’s match and for the final standings of the two teams?
Julien: 1-1 for Saturday, the title for OL, and a place in the top half of the league for Nice.
Fab: I tend to see a draw (1-1) or a narrow Lyon victory (1-2)… OL should be in the top 3 of the standings, OGCN rather towards the 10th place this season.
