This is one of the strong images of this sporting weekend: after the opening score at the Stadium against Toulouse, the Lille players rushed to their coach Bruno Genesio to surround him, he who had just lost his father on the night of Thursday to Friday and who had nevertheless made the choice to be on the bench 72 hours later. A gesture which logically moved the former Lyon coach, who wanted to thank them at a press conference after the great success (4-0) synonymous with third place for the Mastiffs.
“I often say that the best recognition comes from the players, those we manage, those we have managed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who showed me their sympathy, my former players, my current players. It’s the most beautiful recognition to see them make this gesture that I didn’t expect,” he confided. Obviously, it touched me a lot. It also shows the spirit of this team, I am convinced that it is also thanks to this that we obtain results at a high level. This spirit is necessary and essential to travel well throughout a season. »
“I think he looked after me”
Although hit hard by this tragedy, Genesio wanted to be present with his players on the pitch on Sunday. “It’s difficult what I went through. This is one of the events that marks us. But I wanted to be with the team, with my players, because that’s where my place was, he explained. I spent two or three days close to him, close to my family. And today it was important that I was here. The players did what was necessary to bring me a little joy at this difficult time. I think he (his father) looked after me at the start of the match on Toulouse’s chance (post in the 16th minute). And then behind it, we did what was necessary to make him proud. »
Launched into the final sprint in the best possible way with a string of four consecutive victories, Lille have in fact retained their place on the podium and are more than ever in a favorable position against their pursuers (Marseille, Monaco, Rennes and Lyon) in the race for the Champions League. A reward that Genesio would not fail to dedicate to his dad at the end of the season.
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