Rudi Garcia: We’re treating it like a semi-final

On the eve of the CSKA Moskva-LOSC fixture, Rudi Garcia spoke to LOSC.fr to give his thoughts on this fifth group match, which will be decisive in terms of qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase.

Hello Rudi. Could you first tell us about the fitness of the group going into the CSKA match?

First, it looks like it’ll be quite difficult to play Benoit Pedretti, because in the last training session he still felt some discomfort. He will probably miss the game. Then we’ll see tomorrow about the involvement of Marko Basa because he seems to be getting a lot better. We’ll know in 24 hours. The others are fine. I’ve kept the 19 from Toulouse in the group and added the ‘important’ injured or suspended players.

What’s your assessment of the game against Toulouse (0-0) which came after the international break?

I would say that physically, as well as in our play, we did well. If we can play the same way in Moscow, I think we won’t be far off getting a victory. Given that we’re setting off with that goal, it bodes well. Regarding the game itself, there were five or six chances that we managed to create, and there are bound to be regrets at not having come away with the win and taken the three points. But again it’s the end product that matters. We produced half a performance at Valenciennes (0-0), at Milan (1-2), we didn’t have much energy left and I’m not even mentioning the home game with Evian-TG (1-1). So to recover our energy and especially our fluidity, and to create some chances, it’s all very positive. Don’t forget we were playing at Toulouse, who are tough opponents…

Attention now turns to Moscow, and the first Russian opponent in LOSC’s European history, but it’s not been a straightforward journey already (fog at Lesquin airport after the Toulouse game, and before leaving for Moscow).

There are some things that we couldn’t have foreseen and other things that you could not anticipate, but that’s how it is. Instead of training on site in Moscow, we’ve had to adapt. This morning (Monday) we had a meeting at Domaine de Luchin [their training base] and this meant we could at least carry out our preparation for Tuesday evening’s game. We’ll see if tomorrow morning – to use some of the morning – but depending on the traffic which we’ll find in Moscow, we’ll go and see the stadium or whether we’ll have to see it for the first time right before the game. That’s not the most important thing. The main thing is that I believe in the ability of my group to win in Russia. I think as well that everybody shares the same frame of mind and understands the importance of this match. We have our backs to the wall, we’ve no other option – we have to win, so we know the kind of performance we have to come out with. I’ve the feeling the players are going to produce it and that they’ll be even more motivated by what’s in store, rather than inhibited by the pressure. Anyway, we aren’t under pressure because we shouldn’t even be alive still in the competition, but we still are. I believe in us, I’ve real confidence in this group producing a big performance tomorrow.

Could the conditions, like the cold weather that’s been forecast, or the artificial pitch, be a factor?

Of course, even if they will be the same for both teams. That said, if there is a snowstorm, there’s the risk of it becoming quite tricky. As long as we have conditions where the pitch is playable, we can defend our own hopes. But if the game deteriorates into a joke because of too much snow, that will be more annoying. We have a game based on short passing on the ground and it helps to have a good surface. The artificial pitch could be just that.

Regarding the home game (2-2), were there lessons to learn?

We note the absence of Doumbia, for example, who was decisive during the first leg in France [where he scored both of CSKA’s goals] You shouldn’t forget that for 70 minutes we dominated CSKA, we were head and shoulders above them and could have been 3-0 up. But let’s also remember that for 20 minutes, when we let them play, the Russians were formidable, especially with their attacking pair of Wagner Love and Doumbia. Doumbia will be missing of course but since the first game, they’ve got Honda back and he’s a really good player. Either way this CSKA team are used to this kind of competition and fixture. They’re still a formidable outfit. Again, if we want to earn a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, we have to be able to win in Moscow. We’re treating this match like a semi-final, a one-off match, knowing we have only 90 minutes to make a difference.