Interview

Burner: “I have learned a lot”

Patrick Burner is now in his third season with Le Gym’s first team squad. On the right or left of the defence, or slightly higher up the pitch, the Martinique born full-back is cementing himself as a serious option for Patrick Vieira. At 22 years old, the man who has played for the U19s, Reserves and in Europe now hopes to add consistency in order to take the next step. Individually and as a team. 

Patrick, you are on the verge of equaling your league game time from last season (828 this year*, 897 last year)...

I saw that, it’s positive. But it’s only the start: I want more! My objective is to play as many games as possible and above all, to help the team to go and achieve something nice at the end of this season.

You had very little game time at the start of the season, but have come through in the second half of the season: how would you explain this? 

Consistency is one of my areas for progression. When I will be able to play every match at the same level, it will really take my game to the next level. And then at the start of the season, I have to admit that I struggled to get back into the side after what happened in Lyon (broadcast on Intérieur Sport, the images showed Patrick Burner arriving late to a pre-match briefing given by Patrick Vieira. Due to be included in the starting 11 against OL, the full back took a place on the bench at kick-off).

With the benefit of hindsight, how would you analyse what happened?

At the time, I felt a bit stupid. Not due to the show, because I didn't even know that I had been filmed, but more in terms of my relationship with the coach. There are rules, if you don't respect them, you don't play, that's the way it is for everyone. He put his confidence in me, I made an error and I had to battle to show him that I was once again worthy of his confidence. We spoke together and he never gave up, has always been behind me, has always relied on me. So I battled away, I worked and I have learned a lot. Now, as soon as he needs me, I am there and he knows it. It's a lesson to keep in mind.

How do you manage the strong competition on the wings?

On the pitch, we battle to play. Off of it, we get on well, we help each other and we all laugh together. When you have someone like Jallet in your squad, you also have to make the most of it. I really like him, I love his attitude with us. He gives us advice and with the career that he has had, you listen to him.

What has changed since your first steps as a pro?

In the Academy, you are already in the professional world, you are preparing to make the step up, but despite everything, when you do make the step up, everything is different, on the pitch and in your everyday life. When you play in big grounds, with huge atmospheres, on television, with a lot at stake - it's not the same thing as youth football. Sometimes, on the pitch, it's even difficult to hear what your teammate is saying to you...

"The end of the season can become very, very interesting"

Do you still pay attention to the atmosphere in the various grounds?

Of course! Before every match, I take a bit of time to see what is happening. I love football, and it still gets to me. However, when everything gets underway, it's over, I concentrate on what I need to do.

On the whole, what do you make of this season?

The team is even younger than in previous years. When that is the case, you need to learn quickly and sometimes, it can be complicated. The team has quality, we are capable of lots of things. It's down to us to have the confidence in our potential at the end of this season, because confidence will be important.

You have seen a lot of youngsters from the Academy join you in training recently...

The coach has confidence in the youngsters, it's very good. They are very lucky. When I see them move up, I am happy, and they give their all. I had already played a bit with Eddy (Sylvestre), but then there are lots of new guys, like Pedro (Brazao, 16 years old), for example. When I see them with us, I feel a bit old (smiles).


Now, it's time to focus on Toulouse.

It's a match that we have to win, especially at home. We need to make amends for the derby we lost on Sunday which left us really frustrated. At Marseille, there was the opportunity to win, we did lots of things well, we listened and applied the coach's instructions, but it didn't pay off. If we pick up back-to-back victories, things can move quickly and the end of this season can become very, very interesting. I am confident, I think that we can do well.

C.D.

*828 minutes to which you need to add 166 minutes from the Coupe de la Ligue

The stat: In 3 seasons with the first team, Patrick Burner has played 43 matches, in all competitions (28 in L1, 1 Champions League play-off, 6 matches in the Europa League, 8 in the domestic cups).