Does Toulouse have the strong enough kidneys?

This question keeps coming back to the ears of Philippe Montanier since the recovery. After his very successful season in Ligue 2, concluded by a rise in the elite, will Toulouse be able to move on to the next level, while keeping the principles of play dear to its coach? The first game of the season, globally mastered against Nice (1-1), delivered part of the answer. The Violets have confirmed that they have no intention of being pushed around.

“We saw that even against big teams, it could work, notes the Toulouse coach. The team, the players and myself first, we want to play to our strengths. We want to continue in this line. » It does not matter if the promoted have a habit of keeping a low profile, aiming for maintenance. Téfécé has chosen not to settle ” no limit “. But is it reasonable when four clubs will be relegated in June?

Inspirational alumni

Toulouse is not the first to take the bet. During the 2020-2021 season, Lens also surprised with his forward-looking style of play, which led him to 7th place in Ligue 1. “Toulouse can be the Lens of two years ago. There are similarities in profile, considers the agent of a former Sang et Or of that time. It’s a historic club that has given itself the means to move forward by being consistent.” in the choice to keep the backbone of his group, as in his recruitment.

For Christophe Pélissier, the former coach of Lorient who had maintained the Merlus the same season (16th in 2020-2021) by also advocating an attacking game, “there is not even a debate” : “It’s the game project that makes a success, whether in Ligue 2 or Ligue 1. Toulouse’s is focused on the offensive, so it must continue. They have the qualities for, even if it will be necessary to find a balance. »

An opinion shared by Kader Mangane who, in 2017-2018, had experienced the same type of situation in Strasbourg, then saved (15th) thanks to this desire to play transmitted by Thierry Laurey. “Producing games has advantages and disadvantages, affirms the current sports coordinator of Racing. You will surely score goals but you will also leave feathers there. Maybe it’ll work out at first (for Toulouse), but over time, there will have to be more diversity. We can’t just say that we want to produce games. We don’t succeed like that. » As proof, that season, the Alsatians had beaten PSG (2-1), suffering the whole match.

Keep the direction

Pelissier and Lorient also surprised Paris (3-2) in 2021. Despite the difficulties encountered, the Bretons had not denied their ideas and it was finally “the attack that saves us”remembers the new consultant for Prime Video. “You have to have faith in your game plan. The worst thing is to want to change completely after two bad results. »

This method had yet failed to work in 2006-2007 with Sedan. But even transformed by the arrival of José Pasqualetti in charge during the season, the Boars (19th) could not avoid immediate relegation. A sign that in Ligue 1, in “a more open Championship where few teams are concrete at all costs, which is a step in the right direction”according to Pelissier, “you can’t win games if you don’t defend (too) “Concludes Mangane, by way of advice to Toulouse residents.