Assistant coach in charge of the Aiglons' physical preparation,  Alexandre Dellal begins his sixth season at OGC Nice with renewed enthusiasm. At the end of the first week of pre-season, he gives his first impressions and ambitions for the squad. 

How was the time between the seasons?

Last season was busy, lots of matches and a reduced squad. We had to rely on their bodies and the players finished the season very tired. Above all, we insisted on physical and psychological rest, despite the length of the break - four weeks as opposed to five or even six in previous years. For two weeks we asked the players to clear their head, whilst at the same time ensuring good sleeping patterns. The third week, to get back into running, and doing the classic reinforcing exercises. Finally, the final week before pre-season, to up the running, the muscular reinforcement, prevention, specific exercises for each player, stretching etc. to ensure that the players came back with a certain level.

So the holiday homework book was rather full?

It is one of the most serious summer breaks that I have known at Nice. The results from the first tests are really good. The rhythm and the results of the players are surprising. The reduced length of the break can explain that, that’s for sure. But it is also certain that the boys have worked well.

Not everyone has had a break…

Alassane Plea, Valentin Eysseric and Mickaël Le Bihan followed a specific work schedule following their injuries at the end of last season. They have also been very conscientious.

“Pleasure, work and fatigue”

Are there differences between the preparation this year and last?

Normally, it lasts six weeks. Including the first in Nice - a time to complete all of the physical and medical tests - and a trip to Divonne-les-Bains from the second week. This summer, the Q3 of the Champions League only allows us five weeks. We are therefore going to spend the first two in Nice – to work on the basics, the muscular reinforcement, the preventative techniques and to go through the tests - before heading off on the tour where we will play two games instead of one. This first block of three weeks will look to find the best athletic optimisation development; and will be followed by a focus on technique and tactics. Even though with  Lucien (Favre), we conduct a lot of integrated sessions, and the players touch the ball from the start of pre-season and during each session. In that way, the pleasure, work and fatigue, all mix together.

How do the players react to the work load?

They don’t complain. They even ask for more. They are aware of the difficulty of getting through the Q3 but are trying to arm themselves as best as possible. Really, it is the first year in which they have shown such a high athletic level at the start of pre-season.

Last year, the staff and yourself discovered a new manager. On the other hand, this year, the machines are already in place and well-oiled…

It’s true. Even though, honestly, the marriage went very well from the get-go last season. Everything happened quickly, of course. And it’s normal. To save the manager time, that is one of the first jobs of the rest of the staff.

“Sleep, nutrition and hydration”

The only newbies, are the three recruits…

Three youngsters thrown into an endearing dressing room, teasing but hard working at the same time. A pleasant context in which they seem to be enjoying themselves. A little anecdote, Adrien Tameze came first in the ‘Vameval’ test.

The heat at the moment, is it an important factor?

It is very hot during the day and it barely drops in the evening. Recuperation plays a big role in pre-season because the optimisation of athletic qualities also involves phases of fatigue. In that way, sleep is extremely important, as well as the other methods put in place: alternating between hot and iced baths, massages, stretching, wearing compression socks, the food, reduced exposure to the sun, etc. But the most effective is to maintain good sleep levels. That’s the best way to recover. To eat well and hydrate the body to rebalance the deficiencies during this period in which a lot of strain is placed on their bodies as well as a lot of psychological stress.

A siesta?

From the training in the morning, the sun hits us for the first time. Before the afternoon session, it is good to regulate the internal body temperature and to reduce tension with a nap. The length? It depends for each person. Some will be recharged in 15 minutes; others in 45. The only thing for sure is that: you must ban naps of 2 or 3 hours which completely knocks out the body’s routine and the hormonal cycles.

“To serve the technical and tactical”

In the same way as the players or the team, do you set yourselves objectives at the start of the season?

The physical preparation is only there to serve the technical and tactical elements. It’s a way for the footballer to show his quality with the ball at his feet. Being at the crossroads of the technical and medical stage, I also have to help facilitate cohesion, the sharing of information. Together, we try to limit muscular injuries. It was the case last season, even though we picked up some traumatic injuries, often linked to knocks. But then again, certain fruits pay off sooner than others. A concrete example: Olivier Boscagli. When we met him, four years ago, he didn’t like and didn’t know how to run. He had to put in the effort. On Tuesday, during the ‘Vameval’ test, he showed huge progress and was one of the best in the squad. There is still work to be done, but the progress made by these young players - sometimes at the end of their training contracts or just after - are very important for us. We need to continue the work conducted by the Academy and especially Laurent Bonadei and Florian Payet (CFA).

How should a member of staff address this dressing room?

Already, through the experienced heads, we are lucky enough to be able to rely on solid people. Dante encourages the others and sets an example. Yoan Cardinale is a worker. This is a team of workers. They are young, of course, we need to be behind them. But we don’t need to force things or constantly raise our voices. Just to ensure the squad sticks together with the multitude of profiles and characters. A dressing room, it’s like a small company. A mix of old and young. Some players who have played in the biggest competitions, others who are just getting to know this high level. Coming from rich families, or from less privileged backgrounds or from abroad… It’s full of richness. We need to make that a strength and success comes from the togetherness of the dressing room, as well as all of the other parts of the club. We need to be united together and head towards the same objectives and a common language, the identity of OGC Nice.

What will the new training ground bring to the club?

I will miss the current one for the wonderful moments we have spent there. Like the Ray, even though I only had one year there. But the new facilities will bring so much. Every morning the players will be able to come and have their breakfast, go through an effective warm-up, more targeted to them, in separate and more appropriate spaces. There will be a new gym reserved for the first team, a common room area. After training, recovery will be optimised. Between two sessions on the same day, they will even be able to rest at the training ground.

You are already heading into your sixth season at OGC Nice...

It is a pleasure to be a part of the development of the club, in its consolidation through the work conducted across the club. With Lionel (Letizi), Fred (Gioria) and Adrian (Ursea), we know nearly every coach at the club. Amongst the fitness coaches, we have now gotten used to promoting people from inside. Christopher Juras worked with the Academy before working with the pros. Arthur Leblanc (former player, scorer in the final of the Coupe Gambardella 2012) will now preside over the U19 Nationaux, Samir Anba (former Academy player), will work with the U17 Nationaux. This makes, the U6 to the pros, important for the club’s identity. Including with the other departments and different jobs within the Gym. From the offices to the pitch, everyone represents the club. You need to be aware of that all the time. I have recently noticed the during my son’s tournaments, U11B at the club. Whilst the pro team works well, it benefits everyone and sees all sides grow. It’s great. I have seen Nice shirts in Alsace, in Geneva… That was unthinkable five years ago. I get the feeling that the club represents something that is endearing, with values that please people. It is with enormous pride that I work for OGC Nice.

Y.F.

---