2023-11-18 13:21:53
– Vincent Praplan: “It’s as if there was a mental block”
GE Servette, beaten on Friday by Lugano, still cannot find the key. The Valais striker raises the possibility of a small breakdown in confidence.
Published today at 2:21 p.m.
Vincent Praplan and the Eagles are struggling to demonstrate consistency and efficiency. Given the National League standings, it wouldn’t be stupid to take points this Saturday evening in Biel.
BASTIEN GALLAY / GALLAYPHOTO
Like his teammates and his coach Jan Cadieux, Vincent Praplan did not look like a big night on Friday following the defeat once morest Lugano (2-3). GE Servette, which suffered a fourth consecutive loss to Vernets, continues to look for itself. The Eagles, 9th in the National League before visiting Bienne this Saturday, are struggling to find consistency and efficiency. The Valais striker takes a look at the situation, with a little smile when talking regarding his shot towards his own goalkeeper, in the 14th minute…
A good first twenty minutes, the Lugan equalizer at 5 once morest 3 and then the impression of a decline… Did the trip to Munich in the Champions League weigh on your legs?
No, nothing to do with the legs. As you say, we have a good first third, where we play fairly simple, where we don’t lose any pucks. Afterwards, we gave them too many chances. Lugano still relies a lot on a line, but with each possession in our zone, it’s not that we panicked, but they created big chances each time. Afterwards, taking the 2-1, it happens. Unfortunately, we take third just behind, these are things that hurt. It’s often like this: when you take one, there’s another behind it. It’s frustrating.
“We’re looking for the extra pass when we can shoot. When you have confidence, you don’t hesitate to shoot.”
Vincent Praplan, GE Servette striker.
If the legs are not to blame, where does this form of relaxation come from?
I don’t think it’s slacking. It’s like there’s a mental block somewhere. There are often good periods all the same, but we struggle to score. We’re trying too many complicated games tonight too (editor’s note: Friday), we sometimes look for the extra pass when we can shoot. It’s a small sign of lack of confidence, perhaps. When you have confidence, you don’t hesitate to shoot. If there is a blockage, I think it is more mental.
How to do?
We try, we work. You must not give up. In the last four or five matches, we lost by one goal, it comes down to very little. There are still things to improve.
“When the coach changes a line or two or three, it’s because he’s not satisfied.”
Vincent Praplan, GE Servette striker.
Was the mixing of offensive lines carried out by Jan Cadieux, who moved you from first to fourth, to pique the troops?
It is certain that when the coach modifies a line or two or three, it is because he is not satisfied with the performances provided. That means that, somewhere, he wants to motivate you to do better. It’s part of the game, it’s part of the sport, even if it’s not fun and it’s frustrating. We play a team sport, where everyone must do what it takes to win. It’s up to me to play better.
Let’s end with a smile. This perfectly framed and quite powerful shot in the 14th minute, towards your goalkeeper Gauthier Descloux, can you explain to us? Were you afraid it would get cold?
Yes, that’s it, we dominated quite a bit during this first period, so… (smile). In fact, I collect the puck in the neutral zone, I want to put it – initially – to a defender when I see a Lugano attacker in between. I was already making my pass and at the last moment, as a reflex, I tried to lift the puck so as not to give it to him. And off we went in the direction of Gauthier, who fortunately was ready. We exchanged a little smile, I was glad she hadn’t come home.
Simon Meier began his career as a sports journalist in 2000 at the newspaper Le Temps before becoming head of the section. In 2013, he joined the sports editorial staff of Le Matin and Le Matin Dimanche then joined that of Sport-Center for the various titles of Tamedia and 20 minutes.More info
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