Brice Mazenod, 21, a season ticket holder at Geoffroy Guichard for six years and a member of the Green Angels, agreed to answer questions from nice-premiere.
Vincent Trinquat: What’s your analysis of AS Saint-Étienne’s start to the season?
Brice Mazenod: The greens started with Intertoto Cup matches to prepare for the season. I think they gained some experience and were more serious in their preseason preparation with these official matches. Unfortunately, we were eliminated by a very experienced and physically better-prepared Cluj team from Romania. In the league, the performance is average, especially at home where we had two 0-0 draws—no goals conceded but a crucial lack of offensive effectiveness. What’s encouraging is that we only conceded one goal in five matches and created quite a few chances… Now it’s up to Piquionne and the others to finish these opportunities.
VT: What do you think of AS Saint-Étienne’s squad and their recruitment?
BM: It’s true that Mr. Caiazzo (the president) had announced a major signing… but it didn’t happen. However, it wasn’t just Mazure; the club kept Piquionne, Feindouno, and Yahia, who were only on loan last season. Then at the end of the transfer window, the promising young Ivorian, Tiene, arrived in Forez. Regarding Mazure, I simply think that the current system isn’t suited for him. I believe if Baup tries a 4-4-2 with Piquionne and Mazure up front, he could certainly express himself better (we’ve seen it a few times this season in the Intertoto and against Barcelona notably).
VT: Tell us about Frédéric Antonetti. What memories do you have of him?
BM: Really a good guy, he took over our club when it was deep in Ligue 2. We were really struggling, and after a 3-0 loss at home against Gueugnon, we managed a decent end of the season to save ourselves from relegation. He succeeded in keeping a player like Sablé, who was in the French Hopefuls team. Then, after that good end of the season and some smart recruiting, we had a very good season and finally moved up to Ligue 1 and became champions. We will always remember Antonetti being chanted by the whole stadium and celebrating the title in town with all the players and fans. Antonetti was very friendly with us, always available… He knew how to speak out when it was necessary to defend his club! Unfortunately, he left while we were in Ligue 1; he was really sad… And that, Mr. Caiazzo, I will never forget!!!
VT: What are the notable differences between Elie Baup and Frédéric Antonetti?
BM: Baup wears a cap! More seriously, he rarely gets angry and doesn’t speak out as much as Antonetti. On the field, Baup adopts the same system as Antonetti did at ASSE. He has continued Anto’s work.
VT: What do you think of the Nice club?
BM: Nice had quite a few problems last year, thankfully we let them have the win at Ray (2-0) to save them from relegation. However, this year, I think Nice could aim for the first half of the table.
VT: A word about Nice’s recruitment?
BM: The recruitment has been quite strong on part of the Gym, particularly with Bagayoko and Koné, whom I would have liked to see at Saint Etienne. And then there’s Cyril Rool, who is indeed a very good defensive element.
VT: Which players do you fear?
BM: I would say Koné might trouble us a lot with his speed and finishing. Balmont and Vahirua should be watched, the former in midfield where he can make a difference, and the second for his beautiful shots and finishing skills. I noticed that Bagayoko and Rool are suspended, which is just as well for us!
VT: Any predictions for the match and the season?
BM: For the match, and given Nice’s start to the season at home, I’d say 3-2 for ASSE but I expect a very open game. For the season, I think both teams will not be too far from each other; the top half of the table seems feasible for Nice and Saint Etienne.