Vincent Pajot : « the coach believes in me»

Vincent, with half the season gone [1], Stade Rennes occupies a good fifth place in Ligue 1. What is your feeling after these 19 games?

We are satisfied, in terms of play and also in terms of points earned. At the beginning of the season, the target was to reach the winter break with at least 30 points. We have got 32, so at the moment we are on a par with our objective, which his finishing in the top 5. We won in Marseille (0-1) and Lyon (1-2) and drew against Paris (1-1), which proves we deserve to be at the top of the table. However, we had a frustrating month of December in which we should have done much better. Our last victory in Bordeaux (1-0) allowed us to finish on a positive note and was very beneficial to us.

Talking about December, you lost in Nice (2-0) and Ajaccio (1-0), and drew against Brest (1-1). How can you explain such poor performances against what could be seen as lesser oppositions?

We were reaching December, so with the accumulation of games, notably due to the Europa League, the organisms started to be really tired. Individually, were not all performing well when it was needed, which then reflects on the team as a whole. Also, we can’t hide, we had slack moments. These three games were really poor from us. It is a shame as we lost points stupidly. But we can blame no-one but ourselves. However, it should be précised that struggling teams tend to refuse to play, which doesn’t make things easier for us. We are much better against teams accepting to play. In the second half of the season, we will need to take points against teams from the bottom of the table.

« Since Frei has left, there has never been a real striker in Rennes»

Beyond these recurring issues against smaller teams, what is Stade Rennes lacking in order to be able to reach higher goals?

I think our main problem remains the efficiency in attack. We often do half of the work by opening the score, but then we spill many chances to extend our leads. We remain under the threat of an equaliser until the final whistle. We can’t close our matches and make them easy.

Is this the consequence of the absence of a real striker in your team?

This is a chronical issue for Stade Rennais, it is certain. Since the departure of Alexander Frei, Rennes has never had a real goal scorer. However, we are a team in which everyone can score. And we are the fifth best attack in Ligue 1, this isn’t so bad.

« Kana-Biyik is the best defender in Ligue 1 »

We can see that, except for the inconsistency of Hadji, the recruits are playing a major role in the success of Stade Rennais…

It is true that recruits have blended in very quick and immediately brought a real added value. Julien Féret brings his technique, his passing quality and the creativity Rennes was lacking last season. Benoît Costil replaced Nicolas Douchez perfectly and appears as one of the warranties of our team. As for Jonathan Pitroipa, he clearly is one of the revelations of this first half of the season. Beyond that, we remain a strong team in which the individuals all work for the team. But if I should single out one player, it would rather be Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, who is, in my opinion, the best defender in Ligue 1.

Despite encourageing results in Ligue 1, Stade Rennais was ingloriously knocked out of the Europa League…

True, we finished last in our group (Ed.: with 3 points), but I believe our elimination was more the consequence of a lack of experience than a level issue. We were facing renowned opponents (Atlético Madrid, Celtic Glasgow and Udinese) and we were far from ridiculous. But we payed the strong price for our lack of realism at nearly every game, and at the European level, you can’t get away with it.

One could doubt the real interest from Rennes for the Europa League, considering that Frédéric Antonetti was rotating his squad extensively for nearly each game.

Precisely, for the players coming off the bench, like me, it was a chance to show our ability against great teams and great players. It is always a pride, being able to play in the European Cup, and it would be stupid and disrespectful not to play these games fully. This is truly different to the league. To face players like Falcao or play in a stadium like Celtic Park, it is truly impressive. To us, these games are an opportunity to gather experience and to see what we lack in order to be at the level of these teams. Our objective is to play the competition again next year and do better.

« To play in the European Cup is a chance »

It is often said that an early elimination can be a blessing in disguise. Do you agree with that?

I am quite measured about this analysis. Naturally, we will have fewer games to play so we will be in a better form to play league games. This is naturally a plus. But in the other hands, it is always good to play European cup games, for the prestige, the atmosphere and above all the level of play. I really see it as a chance.

Talking about having a chance, you played 18 games in all competitions so far, including 13 starts. Frédéric Antonetti clearly trusts you in this first half of the season.

Yes, and I’m really satisfied about it. I came back from Boulogne in order to discover Ligue 1 and at the moment everything is going well for me. I’ve also played Europa League games. What is also important is that I can see myself improving, my evolution continues. If I’m there, it’s because the coach believes in me and lets me express myself. But I still have much to learn in order to be a permanent member of the starting eleven.

It also seems that like your team, you sometimes struggle in front of the goal (laughs)…

(laughs) It is clear that I’m not a natural born goal-scorer. But I miss very easy chances like the one against Bordeaux. I have been well teased by the players and the coach (laughs). It is often a lack of focus or of composure at these moments. I’ve got an enthusiastic nature and I often go with my instinct without thinking, and without great results. In fact, I’ve always had finishing issues, it isn’t new. I suffered with this lack of realism in Boulogne. This is one of the things I should improve on. This is the reason why I often join the strikers to work in front of the goals at the end of the training sessions.

« I have got no reason to leave Rennes »

It is this time of the year, could Vincent Pajot possibly leave the Stade Rennais this winter?

No, not at all. I feel good in Rennes, I really have got no reason to leave. And I’ve already moved to Boulogne on loan last season so now I want to settle down. Everything is in place for me to blossom in Rennes. I keep on improving and the coach is pulling me in the right direction. I’m 100% Rennais.

A little word about the French U21 national team, which manages a brilliant run in terms of results and in terms of playing quality. What is the secret of this success?
I sincerely believe there is no secret. It is simply that we are taking pleasure in working together. We are close to each other, there is a real cohesion between us, and we feel it on the pitch. Also, as individuals, we give the best of ourselves, since wearing the blue shirt is a true honour. This is also an opportunity to play at the international level, to discover different footballs. And it is a way to respond to other expectations than those of the club and to play under a different sort of management. Even though, in terms of tactic and philosophy, there is little difference between France and Rennes. It is a true change for players who come from clubs refusing to play or playing without a true play-maker.

Jonathan Lopes - Sharkfoot.fr