The manager of Toulouse, but also the winger Matthis Lebel and the third-row Anthony Jelonch gave their feelings after the semi-final of the Top 14 lost against Castres on Friday evening, at the Allianz Riviera in Nice (24-18) .
«We are going to test our character to bounce back after this season, failed for some, two semi-finals for others…» Ugo Line
«Our indiscipline in the first period cost us dearly and allowed Castres to get back into the game. After a first quarter of an hour with intentions, we switched to the terrain they master, without managing to go to ours. When we target discipline and the game of pressure as the keys to this meeting, we cannot end up with seven penalties whistled against us and two yellow cards in the first period. The second is too much… There is no need to make too deep an analysis. As soon as we held the ball, we created opportunities. But not enough to win. My collective has been extinguished by pressure from Castres. Afterwards, you don’t always have to wait for Antoine Dupont to cross the field. There are also five missed points on the foot. The missed penalty from Thomas (Ramos), who is an exceptional scorer, also hurts. Five minutes from the end, we would have come back in front. We are not going to rewrite history. (…) When you make two semi-finals and it’s not played on much, yes, you can say that it’s missed. It’s your analysis, your interpretation (journalists, editor’s note). These matches are for nothing. We were blunted in key moments. But this group has a bright future. I understood from the comments that it had to change. It’s the case. See you next year. We are going to test our character to bounce back after this failed season for some and two semi-finals for others…»
«With two halves, the season is not to be thrown away.» Matthis Lebel
«All season, we had to work hard because we weren’t sure of qualifying. So we had to work hard, playing on both counts and we made two semi-finals. There are many Top 14 clubs who would like to make two semi-finals. We are competitors so we always want more, but we will have to settle for that and get back to work for next season. Penalties, Thomas (Ramos) put so many that we will not hold it against him for having missed one. He is one of the top scorers in the Top 14, she did not pass, she did not pass. The turning point of the match is rather our exits from the camp and having balls scratched in the rucks in key moments. We knew that as soon as they came in our 22 meters, they would leave with points. Congratulations to them and us, we will progress and continue to grow. Back to work. But with two halves, the season is not to be thrown away…»
«The season has been very hard, with the Covid, the duplicates, the six defeats in a row…» Anthony Jelonch
«Everyone was ready for a big fight. Castres was perhaps fresher, more realistic. They hit us in front. It could have worked in our favor but Castres deserves its place in the final. The season has been very tough, with a lot of things. The Covid, the duplicates, the six defeats in a row … But we were able to raise our heads. It’s a shame, it does not play much. But it’s not a failed season. It’s been a good season, even if it’s not up to Stade Toulousain standards. We will come back stronger.»
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