20 May 2012, the Gym lead 4-3 against OL, at Gerland. In the 86th minute, the coach René Marsiglia decides to take off the last scorer, Esmael Gonçalves. And to bring on a young debutant, who was already well known amongst the Nice supporters. His name? Alexy Bosetti, winner of the Coupe Gambardella just one month earlier alongside his colleagues from the academy. Five years to the day after he had made his big debut in Ligue 1, the striker who “comes straight out of Old-Nice” allowed us one final interview…in Lyon, where he was part of the squad, one week after securing safety for the Reserves in CFA. Before flying off to new pastures, the Aiglon retraced, step by step, his four seasons in Red and Black. With the feeling of a mission accomplished and visibly emotionally moved, he leaves a club that has grown incredibly since his debut. Just as he has…

Alexy, here we are in Lyon where everything started…

I had been part of the squad throughout the second part of the season. But it’s true that it was in Lyon that I made my debut in Ligue 1. It’s a nice touch for this to be my last trip here.

Before coming on in that game, what were you feeling?

Lots of emotion, especially given that we were winning 4-3. Also, it was with the staff that I knew from my days in the academy. René (Marsiglia), gave me some reassuring words in my ear before I came on. Above all, he congratulated me for how I had played that season. Opposite us in goal for Lyon, was Hugo (Lloris), that really impressed me. Thinking back to it, René allowed me to be a part of a magnificent evening, I still thank him for that today.

And after?

It was a source of pride. But I didn’t have time to think about it, because the next day I was heading off the the Euros, and I was going to feature in one of my first games for the national side (defeat in the semi-finals of Euro U19). I was happy to play for France, and to discover something new. Then, I had to think about signing my first pro contract, because playing for France slowed down the process. I said to myself that I was fulfilling a dream and that I would need to remain serious, make lots of sacrifices, work hard in a squad with lots of experienced players. For a little youngster like me, and as a fan, it was incredible to go into a dressing room made up of so many good players. It was really emotional and I couldn’t wait to get started again.

“The return from Ajaccio with the supporters, it was really something”

The next season went rather well…

Yes, we finished 4th. I was involved a lot (23 appearances) and made my first starts (4 in Ligue 1, 1 in the Coupe de la Ligue and 1 in the Coupe de France). It was a great year. We managed an incredible season, playing some great matches. When you beat Paris at home (2-1), you earn a 2-2 draw in Marseille in the dying moments (Fabrice Abriel equalised in the 88th minute)… I am pleased to have been a part of that magnificent adventure. It was a great experience, especially as a fan. The years before that had been more difficult, when we secured our safety on the last game of the season. To qualify for Europe on the last day in Ajaccio, with everyone waiting for us when we returned… It was really something.

Unfortunately, the next season was tricky…

Yes, it was difficult to go from 4th place to 17th place the next season. Personally, I got injured with six games to go, at Saint-Étienne while I was in good form. I started to get game time and I was taken down (by Fabien Lemoine)… That broke up my progress (during the 2013-14 season, Bosetti scored 5 goals in 20 games with 8 starts). But I succeeded in coming back well the next season. I think that my third season with Nice was a good one (5 goals in 27 matches with 13 starts).

During this season, you witnessed the move from the Ray to the Allianz Riviera.

I played the last game at the Ray (2-2 against Montpellier) and I scored in the first match at the Allianz (4-0 victory over Valenciennes). That brings huge pride. I will always keep fantastic memories. I had the chance to play and score at the Ray. It was in the cup, against Nancy. Unfortunately, the stadium wasn’t very full… (the match was played at 2pm during the week, Editor’s note).

“I always fought for the shirt”

Looking back, how do you analyse your career for the Gym?

You can always do better. But I could have done worse too. I was decisive, I always fought when I wore this shirt. I was always irreproachable mentally, in the spirit I brought with me. That’s what will remain with me. I will keep nothing but the best. Not everything has been positive, but it has allowed me to grow. It is part of my story, my career, and I will try to continue with it in the best way possible.

If you had to think about one match?

(He thinks) The 5-4 win over Marseille it was really something. Then, there was also my first match at the Ray, against Ajaccio. We lost 1-0, and I won a penalty. Monzon broke the bar (laughs). Matches to remember, there are lots. Mainly my first start against Lille (2-2), or even the first game at the Allianz Riviera where I scored against Valenciennes (4-0). The match against Bordeaux, the friendly against Barça… They have been some really great years. I have met lots of people, and played with some great players: Éric Bauthéac, Didier Digard, Renato (Civelli), Nema (Pejcinovic), Julien Sablé, Cyril Rool… when I was a fan, they were already on the pitch. I would never have imagined getting to know them and to be friends with them. To play with great players like Dario (Cvitanich) also…

What did Dario give you?

With Neal Maupay, we came out of the centre, we competed agains each other. He was like a big brother, Dario. He taught us a lot. In front of goal, he was a model. He is a very very good player. I still follow him now with Banfield (Argentine), where he has had a very good season, with Renato. They returned to the club of their hearts. I am happy for them, and congratulate them for their magnificent careers.

“Happy that the club has grown”

And this season, in training, it wasn’t too bad right…?

When you were here in the old days, it wasn’t the same story… To see Dante, Younes (Belhanda) Mario (Balotelli) arrive, it’s crazy! To train with players like them or Mika Seri… when I was young, at Cavigal*, if you had told me that one day I would play with players like that… I am happy that the club has grown. I think I have grown with it, having an impact at certain moments. I will only keep the best memories. I have met some extraordinary people.

After your two successive loans (to Tours then to Sarpsborg 08 in Norway), how did you feel when you came back to the club last summer?

I am not going to hide the fact that I was really motivated by the idea of coming back to the club, with the Europa League. They told me that it would be difficult, but I tried to be there, in training and during the friendlies, where I think I showed something, with an assist against Servette and a goal against Toulouse. Then, there were choices that were made, you have to respect them, especially when the team does well and finishes 3rd in the league. I returned to the reserves, where I played that majority of the second half of the season, with the objective of keeping the side in the CFA.

That mission was far from a foregone conclusion…

At the break, we were bottom with two victories. We needed to start with the basics. I have a lot of respect for the youngsters who gave it their all, just as the pros who came down did too like Arnaud (Lusamba) and Gautier (Lloris). They have a lot of quality. I think there is a lot to come from them, with their coach Laurent Bonadei who is a very good coach. He also didn’t deserve to be relegated into the National 3 (the new name for the CFA 2, Editor’s note). I am very happy for him, for the whole squad, the training ground. At the end of the day, it is a good season for the club with the reserves staying in the CFA and the 3rd place in Ligue 1. I hope that we will qualify for the Champions League next year, that I can hear the little song at the Allianz...

“Warriors in the CFA”

Above and beyond your goals, which had a huge impact (…), everybody was unanimous in congratulating you for your investment in games.

(He interrupts). It’s the investment of all of the squad! I wasn’t alone. At the end, we had a team of warriors. When we beat Fréjus (2-1), win at Monaco (2-1)... And when we scored in the final minute against Sète (1-0) and at Tarbes (1-1)… Mehdi (Messaoudi) our captain, helped us. I am happy, it’s great for the progress of the youngsters.

This season, there was the match in the Europa League (2-1 victory over Krasnodar)…

It was the opportunity to show what I can do, just before the winter transfer market, when I could have left. I wanted to show the coach that I could maybe play. I took what there was to take, and I was lucky to have the penalty. I shot it two times. I was doubly happy. I did a panenka, which maybe got more of the attention. I wanted to show that I was still here, and that I wasn’t letting anything go. It was a nice moment. And I will stay with a goal at the Allianz in my last game there. That’s not too bad…

“Proud of Cardi’”

Now, you turn over the page. How does that make you feel?

I don’t think it has sunk in just yet. I made the most of the last trip with my friends. Cardi’, it’s been 8 years now that we know each other, for example. We were at the academy together, we were in the same class… He really is a friend, outside of football. I hope we will stay in contact. I arrived with the pros before him, he had a lot of competition at youth level with Mouez (Hassen). I am proud of him because he hasn’t let anything go and today, it is paying. I am happy for him, for his family, because I really like him, even if he is a Marseillais, unfortunately, (the Nice goalkeeper is originally from La Ciotat). But that, he can’t change…

How have you evolved with the various groups of coaches?

Since my debut at 18 years of age, I am not the same. At the academy and then with the pros, Guy (Mengual), Fred (Gioria), René (Marsiglia) have brought me a lot. I also knew Eric (Roy). Things went very well with Claude Puel and his team. Lucien Favre also, he made me work a lot.

How do you see your life after OGC Nice?

I will become a supporter again, in the shadows. I wish all the best for the club. And why not come back one day? We never know, in football, anything is possible.

And your immediate future?

We are in discussions with clubs. I hope that they will conclude as quickly as possible, so that I can prepare well. I am open to everything.

"Julien Sablé used to give me his studs”

Everything, with certain exceptions though?

Yes, everything except Marseille or Bastia (laughs). I want to have a new project, a new challenge. I am ready to give my best for my new club, even if I will always have Nice in my heart.

Who would you like to thank today?

All the members of staff, in the first-team or in the academy. René (Marsiglia) did a lot for me at the beginning. Manu Pirès also helped me a lot. Julien Sablé, when I turned pro, he gave me his studs. All the players from the 2011/12 season, Renato, Anthony Mounier, Ospina, etc. they were players who got me going when I was on the other side of the fence. For me it was different. (He interrupts himself) I am still moved when I talk about it today. For me, they were stars! Today, even, we remain in touch, I often see Eric Bauthéac, we often call each other with Dario, Renato, Neal… I get on well with everyone. I don’t have any enemies in football, I only have colleagues (laughs). I think about Dao (Castellana), Silvestri and all of the Gambardella generation, Vincent (Koziello) or even Alass’ (Plea), Wylan (Cyprien) who I met with France. (He thinks). There is also Jean-Phi' Mattio, who advised me a lot. I really appreciate him, he is a real friend. I also thank all of the Comms team: Virgnie (Rosseti), Nico (Bernard), Mickaël (Chandioux)... And I must have forgotten some...

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Do you realise that you have accomplished the dream of every fan?

Yes, and I encourage everyone who thinks it’s impossible to say that it is possible. With a bit of seriousness and lots of desire, everything is possible in life.

“I could never pay them back for all they have given me”

Is that the message you have passed on to the youngsters at the academy?

To always remain serious, to believe in yourself because in football things happen quickly. Nothing is ever finished, even when you are down. The season when I signed pro, with Dao (Castellana), we were the only ones of our generation not to have been involved in pre-season with the pros. And we had both signed pro at the end of the season. You have to continue to work, to do more than the others. And at the end of the day, it pays off. If that doesn’t pay off at Nice, for them, it will pay off elsewhere.

You have mixed a lot with the youngsters in the academy. What can you tell us about them?

In attack, there is Youssef (Abdelli), who is a very good player. He has a future in football, like others. There is Hicham (Mahou), Yannis (Clémentia), Romain (Perraud)… who are very good. I also thin about Ancoub Mze Ali, who won the Gambardella with us. It was a bit more complicated after, but he gives his all for the club. These are good people before being good players, and that is important.

What is your final word to the fans?

I want to say thank you to them for these years, from the start at the Ray, to the last match at the Allianz. It was magnificent. I could never pay them back for all they have given me. I say a big thank you! I hope we will see each other again.

*Before joining the Gym’s academy in 2009, Alexy Bosetti played for JSO Villefranchoise then for Cavigal.

Fabien Hill

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