Adrien, you've won the right to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. What did that mean before you took part?
You don't think of football first, but other disciplines that you don't usually watch. When I was growing up, my family watched a lot of the Olympic Games, and we liked to follow all the French athletes. However, when you're a young footballer, it's not the first thing you dream about, it's more the World Cup or the Champions League. You don't think about the Olympics, even though it's an incredible thing. To be able to take part once in your life is exceptional.
Now that you've experienced them, how do you feel?
I'm very proud because we've pleased the French people and our families. People close to me were very happy for me. We're happy to make people happy. It's an experience that makes you grow. We went to the final in our own country, with a lot of supporters behind us, and that was great.
Did you get a particular flavour during this Olympic interlude?
We were a bit apart, we weren't in the village but we felt, the athletes, like the general public I think, something extra during the Olympics and the Para. We can say that the gamble paid off. What's more, the overall results were good. After the final, we were able to get together with the fans at Club France and Champions Park at Trocadéro. It was at those moments that we really realised what a medal means.
« Beautiful moments of communion »
Is this silver medal a satisfaction or a disappointment?
We were obviously disappointed because losing in the final of a competition leaves a bitter taste. At the Olympics, when the 2nd and 3rd places are awarded the title, the losers are also remembered, so that adds to the disappointment. Nevertheless, the happiness of the people the next day and the shared celebration show that something beautiful has just happened and that it's important to have brought France another medal. It was a wonderful moment of togetherness. We had to savour it so we wouldn't regret it.
Along with Nice, SRFC was the most represented club in this Olympic team. Is that a source of pride for you?
Of course, even more so for me because it's my training club. Getting to know a number of players helped us to develop a sense of automaticity on the pitch. We also knew other players from playing together for other youth teams. The new players integrated really well. We really had a great group, with good players, and it was a great experience.
How do you rate the performances?
From the very first friendlies, things were going pretty well. We had a very intense preparation. We won a lot of our games, which helped to bind the group together. There were some complicated moments during the D0s, but we showed character. It's the strength of the group that really counts. With Thierry Henry and the staff as a whole, we had a great osmosis.
If you had to keep a memory, an image?
The mixed judo team final, when the roulette wheel on the dojo's giant screen announced Teddy Riner for the final bout. It really made an impression on me! These are great moments in sport when France is proud of its athletes. Then there's our arrival at Club France. We really realised that we'd done something good. Like all French people, we followed a lot of the events in our rooms, during meals or when we were on the physiotherapists' tables.
« I immediately sensed a strong work ethic »
When you returned to Rennes, you got to see a lot of new faces. How did your return to the club go?
There have certainly been a lot of changes, but I've immediately sensed a strong spirit of hard work and a desire to get things done. Honestly, the newcomers have integrated well and the atmosphere is good. They want to do great things here.
Is last season behind you for good?
It's been complicated, but we've shown before that we want to do great things at Stade Rennais. We want to pull on the shirt and make our supporters and the people who work at the club proud. You have to give it your all every day. We're going to give it our all. You can see it in training, the quality of the players and the good recruitment. It's now up to us to get the hang of it, but we can see that it's starting to happen as we go along. Hard work pays off, that's a catchphrase, but it's the reality. With the accumulation of training sessions and matches, and the experience we all share together, we'll make progress. In any case, everyone wants to do well.
« The club has shown signs of strength »
Is that why you chose to stay at SRFC, despite some rumours?
I've still got two years left on my contract and I'm always happy to wear the colours of Rennes. The club has shown signs of solidity with several key players staying on. That's a sign of serenity. It's important to feel that Stade Rennais remains healthy.
Comment te sens-tu physiquement ? On t’a vu particulièrement affûté avec l’Équipe de France olympique.
Grâce à la grosse préparation que l’on a effectuée en sélection, je me sens vraiment bien. On ne se préoccupait pas des données de performance physique pendant les JO, ce que l’on voulait c’était jouer, gagner et aller le plus loin possible. On a enchaîné les matchs tous les trois jours. Je n’ai aucune idée du nombre de kilomètres et de courses que j’ai pu faire, ce qui était essentiel c’était la récupération et être le plus frais possible pour le match suivant. Le club a dû recevoir les données mais je n’y ai pas prêté attention. De mon côté, c’est au ressenti. Quoiqu’il arrive, je donnerai tout.
Le succès face à Montpellier a-t-il offert certaines garanties ou simplement de la confiance ?
Il ne faut pas idolâtrer l’équipe quand elle va bien et la mettre plus bas que terre quand elle va mal. Il ne faut pas aller trop vite dans les conclusions, il y a eu de bonnes et de moins bonnes choses contre Montpellier. Gagner à la maison devant nos supporters, c’est bon pour la confiance. Lens sera un bon test, on a à cœur de faire un gros match. C’est une équipe qui a des principes forts, elle sait ce qu’elle veut faire. Elle est très solide, elle l’a montré en début de saison. On va essayer de les bousculer pour aller chercher cette victoire. Le public est déjà bien derrière nous mais on doit les embarquer encore plus. Ils nous donnent beaucoup, à nous de leur donner en retour.
