Ahead of the visit of Lille (kick-off on Friday at 7pm), Ihsan Sacko took to pieces his first few weeks with Le Gym, for an interview which will appear in the next OGCNICE.mag. The former Strasbourg winger made the most of it to provide some quick fire answers to better get to know his career to date. Verbatim.

Your clubs

The very first is one of the two clubs in my town, US Alfortville (in the Paris region). I stayed there for a very short amount of time, then I left as a youngster to US Ivry, where I stayed until U15. At the same time, I did tests at Clairefontaine and I was accepted at the CREPS in Reims. Then I went to Valenciennes for three years and then on to Strasbourg (in 2015).

Your first goal 

I think that it was in the Coupe de la Ligue*. Against Niort, we won 1-0 and we qualified. The one that stayed with me is the one against Valenciennes. It was the club that brought me through and I scored a penalty.

The coaches that have made the difference

Those that got me going. Eric (Ziegelmeyer) and Toufik, at Strasbourg, as youngsters. Jacky Duguépéroux who allowed me to start in the National; Thierry Laurey and his staff who gave me my first minutes in L2...

Your 1st match in the National?

A huge match, against Belfort (on 8 January 2016). At the time, I think it was 1st against 2nd. It was difficult… When I came on, I was so excited that I ran everywhere for 5 minutes and then, I burnt out, even though I had just come on. But hey, it’s still a good memory.

Your biggest source of joy?

The two promotions. From the National to L2, it was really crazy, because it was then that I got going as a pro, I signed my first contract after that… And then in L1, nobody saw us there. The two promotions were magnificent.

The match that you would like to forget?

The 1st game in L1, against Lyon (smiles). Because we conceded 4 there.

Your arrival at Le Gym?

Everybody welcomed me well and put me at ease. I said it when I arrived and I still think it, so I feel good. I feel like I have been here for 6 months. When I signed, I only knew one person, Adrien Tameze – who arrived at Valenciennes in my last year of my training contract - but in a week, I got to know nearly everyone. And in a really natural way…

Your dream?

To win the biggest competitions and to be one of the best…

*Sacko’s first goal as a pro actually dates back to matchday 34 of the National League in 2015/2016, in a match between Strasbourg - Dunkerque (2-2).

---