2023-12-05 06:30:00
In three months at Paris FC, Sofiane Alakouch (25 years old) has already played more matches (11) than in two seasons with Metz (9). Launched in Ligue 2 at the age of 17 with Nîmes, the club of his hometown, the right-back had a linear and promising start to his career: international U19 and U21, three full seasons in Ligue 1 (64 matches). But he became disillusioned following Nîmes’ descent to L2 and his signing for Metz in 2021.
“It went very badly. The coach and the management did not count on me, he regrets. It was a sporting choice. That’s the only explanation I was given. I didn’t necessarily have all the answers. In terms of behavior, I remained serious. I have nothing to reproach myself. But it was very hard at times. »
If his four-month loan in Switzerland to Lausanne in 2022 temporarily allowed him to play once more, he had a very complicated last season in Metz. “I’m just human and at times mentally it wasn’t like that anymore. I didn’t always hold on. You try to stay involved but you fall into a routine. You train every day knowing that you won’t play on the weekend. We moved up to L1, I was happy for the group but I was just waiting for the season to end. »
His sidelining in Metz also certainly deprived him of a place in Morocco’s list for the World Cup in Qatar. After his selections for the French youth team, he had indeed chosen to join the Atlas Lions. On November 16, 2021, he made his first start in place of Achraf Hakimi once morest Guinea (3-0). Alakouch, 4 caps, was then called up for CAN 2022 in Cameroon then for the final qualifying matches for the World Cup.
“I said to myself, I might have been there with them at the World Cup…”
“I was in the group, the logical next step was the World Cup… But I played more with my club. So, it was normal that I was no longer called. So I experienced the World Cup as a supporter with my family to follow our incredible journey to the semi-final. But I still had a bitter taste. I said to myself, I might have been there with them… It stuck in my throat. It hurts and it left marks. Morally, it made my second part of the season even more complicated. »
In an impasse at Metz where he is under contract until 2025, Sofiane Alakouch was therefore loaned to Paris FC at the end of August. His arrival had aroused some skepticism among supporters. “It’s normal that there were questions regarding me. People see a name coming who hasn’t played for a year, and they inevitably wonder what he’s worth, if he still has the level…”
After three months, the first assessment is rather positive. The very offensive full-back, who scored a goal and delivered an assist, is gradually regaining her feelings. “I arrived with a vengeful spirit. I already wanted to rediscover the pleasure and the level that was mine. Even if I’m not yet 100% compared to before, I have regained my bearings, playing time and rhythm. I think I was good and brought my experience and my qualities. It was also important to me to remind everyone who Sofiane Alakouch is…”
At Paris FC, he found Stéphane Gilli, who was Vahid Halilhodžić’s assistant in the Morocco selection. “I wanted to thank the coach and the club for bringing me to Paris FC. The coach, he is from my region, I have him in the Morocco selection, I have always had a good relationship with him. »
“I have known Sofiane for a long time,” says Stéphane Gilli. I offered it to Vahid. We already had Hakimi and Mazraoui and we were looking for a versatile defender like him. He had a promising start to his career but was hampered by injuries. He has a good mentality, he is tactically intelligent and has the technical qualities for our game plan. Even if he is on loan, he is very invested, he works well in the locker room. He even took the risk of playing injured with a foot that did not fit in the shoe and with a sore knee. I am very happy with his contribution, it only confirms the good things I thought of him and he is in the process of getting back on track. »
Match sheet
PARIS FC – RODEZ, Tuesday (8:45 p.m.), Charléty stadium (Paris 13th arrondissement). Referee: Mr. Leleu.
Paris FC : Nkambadio – Alakouch, Dabila, Mbow, Gaudin – Mandouki (cap.), Camara – Gory, Kebbal, Lukembila – Hamel. Rempl. : Filipovic (g.), Koré, Doucet, Demoncy, Pembelé, Diaby Fadiga, Jabbari. Entr. : Gilli.
Absent. Chergui, Lopez, Gueye, Lasne, Kolodziejczak, Touré (injured), Oualengbé, Colau, Sissoko (choice).
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