Mangane «played through the pain barrier»

Forced to come off the pitch against Valenciennes last Sunday, Kader Mangane has explained the reasons for his average performances since the beginning of the season. Suffering with an ankle injury in Udine, he hadn’t taken the time to recover completely and his now paying the price.

In an interview published on the website of France Football, the Rennes captain affirms he’s had “nothing but health issues” since the summer. “I didn’t have a good physical preparation in July since I was suffering with sinusitis with allergies. Then I had this ankle injury in September, and now this relapse. I can’t play to the best of my fitness and the performances are not as good. When you play in defence, you need to have solid footings”, Mangane explains
Injured at the beginning of the game, on September 15th in Udine, the Senegalese international could only return a month later, on October 16th against Lorient. Still, it was too early. “I played with injections since my return and it wasn’t great at all, Mangane regrets. My ankle hadn’t completely recovered, and I realise today that it wasn’t the right solution”. In his mind, the second goal conceded in Glasgow is symptomatic of the difficulties encountered: “If my ankle hadn’t been hurting, I wouldn’t have missed it in that way, he affirms. This is the moment where I realised I had screwed up (sic) by playing with this injury. I saw the ball arrive perfectly, but I didn’t have the required balance to go back and clear. I resent myself for this. It is one thing to be willing to play, but you also have to be physically able ».

Out for the international games of the week even though he had been called-up with Senegal, the Rennes defender now wishes to take the required time to recover properly. Therefore, he hasn’t set a date for his return as of yet. “When I’ll feel good, I will be able to return to competition. I don’t want to harm myself and harm my team”, he affirms.
In the meantime, Kana-Biyik, Mandjeck, Boye when he returns from injury, or even Apam, will cover for his absence.