Timothée Kolodziejczak : "Mentally stronger"

How was the team following the match in Strasbourg (1-1)?

The week was based on recuperation, at least in part. We needed a boost for the match this weekend. Against Strasbourg, we suffered from the heat and from playing a good portion of the match with ten against eleven. Playing with fewer players than the opposing team is difficult at this time of the season because we’re not yet completely ready.

Against Guingamp (2-1), you played left-back, while in Strasbourg, you walked onto the field as a centre-back. Playing which position makes you feel the best?

It’s now been a few years that I’ve been playing centre-back, so playing this position is maybe a bit easier for me. I’ve spoken a lot with Loïc (Perrin) on the field. Technically and tactically he’s a player who’s very easy to play with. He’s experienced and mature. We’ve come together and exchanged much.

You’ve accumulated a lot of playing time since the beginning of the championship.

Yes, I’ve finally played two matches in a row. I’m cautious because my body is no longer used to this. I’m content and satisfied. I only feel like I’m at 60-65% but I feel good overall. I’m hoping to get stronger.

What do you think of the strong fervour that accompanies the club?

I’m originally from Lens and the two cities are similar. They’re working-class cities, I know their values. I wasn’t surprised. In the stadium, it’s a bit similar. I haven’t yet seen the kops but, in Lens, people live for Football. They do without vacations in order to pay for season tickets. I don’t know if it’s exactly the same but it’s similar. In Séville and in Mexico, the training sessions were not open to the public. When I was playing in Nice, there were some people, but not as many as there are in Saint-Etienne. Fervour is a plus for a team. It pushes you to give more when you feel like you have nothing left.

What does it mean to make two consecutive trips at the very beginning of the season?

It’s difficult. Above all that, for our first match in Guingamp, we played without all of our fans. But, our team has character. We’re capable of taking points everywhere. Mentally, we returned from Strasbourg stronger given the outcome of the match. That gives us a lot of confidence. It was a complicated match, we were a bit lucky with the tie, but we seized an opportunity at the right moment. We have to have the same state of mind during the entire season because our opponents will be waiting for us.