Zeidler: "Tomorrow, we're going to score!"
FC Lausanne-Sport is preparing for a key match in the fifth round of the UEFA Conference League against KuPS Kuopio. Currently 13th with 7 points, LS knows the importance of this encounter, which is decisive in the race for qualification. Kévin Mouanga and Peter Zeidler spoke at a press conference ahead of this duel, scheduled for Thursday at 10 p.m. local time (9 p.m. in Switzerland), which can be watched live on the big screen at the GBar in the Stade de la Tuilière.
Pre-match training at La Tuilière“Our priority was to train well before this match, which is why we did it at home. We are ready. Even for a 2.5-hour flight, we prioritized the quality of our work. That's why we didn't schedule a session at Tammelan Stadion. However, we really wanted to see the stadium and the pitch. We were told it's a fast pitch, like all artificial turf. I don't see much difference with ours, even though it is different.”
Activation required on match day"We're going to do an activation tomorrow, it's essential. Otherwise, the time between the last training session and the match would be too long. We're also going to study our opponent on video to be ready against KuPS Kuopio."
The KuPS Kuopio“We’ve analyzed their matches: the 3-1 victory against Bratislava, the 0-0 draw against Breidablik, and their recent 2-0 win in Helsinki. They’re the Finnish champions for the second year running. We know who we’re up against. They have some good players. I know their goalkeeper, for example, an Austrian who’s very good with his feet. They’re an international team, like ours. It will be interesting, and we’re excited to play this fifth match.”
No calculations before the match"We want to impose ourselves and play our game. Our objective is to win. We'll get the calculators out later if necessary. Obviously, we know the standings, but for now we don't want to worry about it. Maybe tomorrow night."
The lack of effectiveness against Lugano“We didn’t score in Poland or against Lugano, but I’ll use a classic phrase among coaches: we’re creating chances. You have to get them first to score. I’m not worried. The balls will eventually go in. Sometimes one goal is enough. I’m convinced we’ll score tomorrow. Will it be enough to win or draw? We’ll see, but we will score.”
Gaoussou Diakité's performances“Diakité played 70 minutes against Lugano. He didn’t have a bad game. He can’t always get everything right. I’m thinking, for example, of his half-volley around the 30th minute. Out of ten attempts, eight were on target and seven ended up in the back of the net. But we shouldn’t wonder where the artist has gone. We want a team player, an effective one. He’s kept his qualities. I spoke with our sporting director, Stéphane Henchoz, after training, and he said he was pleased with both strikers. Diakité was one of them. And when Stéphane says that, it’s a real compliment.”
Mouanga: "We have a big opportunity here."The synthetic pitch in Tampere“When we arrived on the pitch, we immediately saw that the artificial turf wasn’t the same as the one at La Tuilière. But we’re used to playing on different pitches. The one at Thun, for example, isn’t identical either. It’s up to us to adapt as quickly as possible.”
An opponent not to be underestimated“We’ll analyze the video again, but we’re ready. We mustn’t think we’re coming here to win 5-0 just because the Finnish league is supposedly inferior. We have to stay focused. We know we have a big opportunity here. We’re taking them very seriously because, for them, this could be the game of their lives. There are only two games left to see who will advance. We’re ready, we’re going to give it our all, and we’re not underestimating anyone.”
A preparation to adapt"With a match at 10 p.m., we adapt our preparation. We do activation exercises, naps, to be 100% mentally and physically ready. We organize our days around the match time."
European travel“No two trips are the same. We’re traveling for work, we don’t really have time to visit, but we remain attentive to our surroundings. It’s enriching. From a footballing perspective, we encounter different cultures. Styles vary, but we’re not surprised by the level and style of football played abroad.”
