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With more than 71 hours spent on the pitch, Dante took part in (almost) all of this season’s battles. The captain’s armband proudly worn, the most used Niçois alternated between dreamy moments and “important lessons”. Before heading off on holiday, the Brazilian agreed to provide his view on this season, with mixed feelings. From the good and bad sides. 

The emotions

 

The happiest moment 

”When we qualified for the Round of 32 of the Europa League, against Zulte-Waregem at home (3-1 victory). It was really great because it showed real progression for the club, a huge step forward in comparison with the season before.“

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The biggest disappointment  

“The derby against Marseille at the Allianz Riviera (Week 8). That was the moment at which we put our season in danger. Even if we had drawn 2-2…  in the end we lose 4-2 and that gave us a real hit round the head. It was an important match, a derby and we should have won it. (He repeats) We should have won it. We were better than them. During the first 20 minutes, we were incredible... But it’s not because you have some good moments in a match that means that you are going to win it. You also need to know how to hold on during the bad times. There was an easing off. When you see the goals that we conceded... Our errors cost us dearly.”

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The key moments 

 

The turning point 

“It was against Toulouse. I got sent off, we were down to 10, the guys showed real strength of character. We understood that it wouldn’t only be by playing nice football, but also through our desire to win, our desire to put in the effort and to battle until the end. I was still in the shower when  Walter (Benitez) stopped the penalty. And then, I went up into the stands, with JV (Makengo) and Delphine (Uhel, physio). Whilst we were still losing 1-0, I said to them: "We will win this match, we have to” because I felt the fear of the Toulousains. And Mario, then Bassem scored. Bassem, he is my little man, I was so happy for him. He allowed us to get an important win (1-2). The proof that you can never give up.”

The missed opportunity 

“Marseille (2-4), because we had a gap after. The draw at Monaco? It’s true that it was similar too. When you concede that goal at the end, you say to yourself "this season, everything is happening to us, it’s not possible.”

The analysis

 

Style as a strength  

“The greatest strength of the Gym this season is that we were able to remain loyal to our philosophy, even when we lacked confidence.“

Bad game management

“Our weakness? The bad management of games. We weren’t tough enough to hold on to results all the way to the end. When you lead, you need think about defending well, to counter, score a second and there you go. But we opened up the game too much and got caught on the counter even though we were winning... It’s not by chance that we lost 27 points after having taken the lead in the game. It’s not down to tactics, but down to the mental side. Some teams, when they lead, you don’t see them again. That’s the lesson from this season.“

The matches

 

At home

“My favourite is Monaco (4-0 victory). It’s a derby, against the current champions and we played well throughout. To beat Monaco 4-0 two years on the trot, that is really something. The team kept concentration throughout the game, and it paid off. Hats off to us. 

If I had to forget one, I would go for Metz (2-1 defeat). In Paris, even if you play to win, you know that you can lose. At Metz, you need to get the three points. But we lost them. It’s a real shame.” 

The goals

 

The best goal

“Against Paris (1-2), as a team, it was really something. It symbolizes our philosophy, because we always try to come out cleanly. We beat the line with a ball over the top, but not just in any way. It was at the feet of the centre forward (Balotelli), who found Alassane. Played in smartly, Allan (Saint-Maximin) finished the job.

I think that Allan will reach a very high level when he makes these kind of vertical runs, in deep, because that’s where he will find himself closest to the goal. I insist on that with him. He is an intelligent player, he takes on board the comments and starts to act on them, like against Caen (4-1).”

The worst

“My goal against Nantes, it wasn’t very classy (laughs). It was a scrappy goal, but it allowed us to get a point against a direct competitor (1-1).”

The supporters

 

The smile

“During the lap of honour after the final game (4-1 against Caen), we were able to speak with the fans. These are exceptional moments. We are close to them, we shake hands. These are great moments that we don’t forget, from our point of view and theirs. We feel a lot of love, and that’s what drives us on to battle on the pitch.” 

The tears

“They were behind us until the end. But after Lyon (0-5), we felt that it wasn’t easy. You have to understand them, they took a big hit too. But we made an effort to get back going again, and that’s what you need to remember.”

His season

 

Tiredness

“At the start of the season, I felt tired and heavy. Not in terms of weight, but the context. I wanted to take on too many responsibilities and it didn’t help me. The Champions League, I really was dreaming of it. I was thinking about it throughout my holidays. Even though Napoli showed us their superiority (2-0 ; 0-2), I struggled to accept it. It hurt me a lot.”

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The return to form

”After this tough period, I asked questions of myself and I was calmer. I was able to turn things around with the whole team. My passion for football allows me to make these efforts on a daily basis, to never give up. I never said to myself that I need to rest because I am 34. My spirit, leads me to constantly look to push my limits. It’s this strength of character that allows me to keep going.”

F.Hill

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