Paris FC Coach Stéphane Gilli: “It will stay with us for life” after PSG Upset
Paris, France – Stéphane Gilli, the coach of Paris FC, is still reeling from his team’s historic French Cup triumph over powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain. In an exclusive interview, Gilli, a native of Nîmes, reflected on the monumental achievement, highlighting the significance of the victory for the club and its players.
A Sleepless Night of “Good Fatigue”
When asked if he managed to sleep after defeating PSG, Gilli admitted, “I confess I didn’t sleep much, but it’s good fatigue.” He recalled the two recent encounters with PSG, noting that his team deserved more points in the league match. “Before the game, I told my players: if we win, it will be Paris FC’s first victory at the Parc des Princes, it will stay with us for life.”
Gilli expressed immense pride in his team’s performance against what he considers “the best team in Europe, if not the world.” He emphasized the strong image the team projected, especially given the numerous absences due to injuries. “It’s something big and a historic victory,” he added.
Quickly Shifting Focus to League Survival
Despite the euphoria, Gilli stressed the need to quickly refocus on the team’s primary objective: maintaining their position in the league. “We savored it quickly. Within the hour, we had to get back to the next step because what’s important is to stay up. The match against Nantes on Sunday will be crucial. We have to move on, but it will remain a beautiful evening!”
Addressing his players after the match, Gilli conveyed his immense pride. “I told them that after the 2-1 league defeat, I was proud of the image they had given because everyone thought we would concede five, but I couldn’t be happy with the result. This time, I told them I was proud and happy, and to enjoy it despite everything.”
No Pressure, Just Confidence and Hard Work
Gilli revealed his detached approach to pressure, stating, “I am very detached, I don’t feel any pressure.” He affirmed his commitment to working as if he would stay with Paris FC for two decades, acknowledging that in football, things can change quickly. He also shared his philosophy with his staff: “We must do our best, have no regrets.”
He also highlighted the unwavering confidence he receives from the club’s management. “The first year we finished 5th in Ligue 2, the second year we got promoted and I hope for survival this season. It’s been 47 years since the club last played in L1. The project is being built little by little, the management is aware of this and is very happy with the work we are doing.”
Leveraging Success for Future Challenges
The coach believes this success can be a turning point for the rest of the season, particularly in their quest for survival. “Firstly, in terms of confidence, we were able, with our resources, to compete in both matches against PSG.” He urged his players to replicate the same intensity, rigor, and discipline against other teams like Nantes and Angers, without disrespecting them.
“If we manage to combine our usual game with this ability to be at 200%, we will build on that to do great things,” Gilli concluded, emphasizing the importance of carrying the momentum from this historic win into their upcoming league fixtures.
