Interview: Benoit Costil
Caen native and former Stade Malherbe Caen player, Benoit Costil has been interviewed for the official SM Caen website ahead of the game on Saturday. Below is the translation.
How do you rate the start of the season for your team?
“Encouraging. Our record in the last two games is positive. We responded well after our setback in Lyon in the opening game (0-2) by showing the value of efficiency against Evian (6-2) and solidity against St. Etienne (0-0).”
What ambitions do Stade Rennais have?
“We did not finish where we wanted to last season. Our objective is to play more consistently and avoid a scare like last year. After that if we can snatch something interesting, we’re not going to deny it. But do not forget that we face another season of transition with many departures and arrivals within the squad.”
Has last season left any traces?
“Not necessarily in the league. For the players who were here, it was especially the defeat in the final of the Coupe de France against Guingamp that made an impression. Since I’ve been at the club, I already have had two failures in the final of cups. But one of the qualities of top footballers is knowing how to rebound. Moreover, the high turnover of the squad has also been used to trigger a new momentum.”
What is your mood ahead of the game against Stade Malherbe?
“First of all, I am disappointed not play at d’Ornano. When I checked the calendar, I hoped one thing: we would not be one of the two matches to be played at Le Mans, however this is only a postponement, I will come back next season. Otherwise I am very happy to face Caen by defending the shirt of a very good Ligue 1 club.”
What kind of match do you expect?
“Given their good start to the season, Caen will not have much to lose. So I think while remaining organised, they’ll play a pretty game. From what I’ve seen, their plans for the game are very coherent play. Their coach has established an excellent organisation. Then there’s my friend Julien Feret. It’s already established that I get his shirt, but I hope he will not hurt us too.”
Have you kept your links with former club?
“If the pill was hard to swallow at the time of my departure, I found that in the last few years I now have some support. My whole family vibrates “bleu et rouge”. When I joined Malherbe, my father become a steward, my mother regularly volunteered and my big brother, Eddy, who joined me at the club a few years later and played until CFA, is now responsible for the goalkeepers at the training centre.”
Interview courtesy of SM Caen – Costil Interview. www.smcaen.fr were not liable for the translated version.