Sanjin Prcic (Strasbourg) downgraded in the Racing rotation

Sanjin Prcic remained at the bottom of the bench last Sunday, while Strasbourg lacked ideas and technical mastery against Brest (0-1). Frédéric Antonetti preferred to bring in young midfielders Habib Diarra (19) and Nordine Kandil (21) rather than the 29-year-old Bosnian international. Asked at a press conference about his changes, the new Racing coach was clear: “To play, the guys have to train well during the week. Those who train badly, or not at all because they’re in the infirmary, well, I don’t bring them in. At some point, you need to be aware. » Prcic will appreciate.

If his involvement during the sessions is questioned, his mediocre entries against Angers (2-1, February 18) and Clermont (1-1, February 25) did not convince Antonetti either. The Corsican technician prefers Ibrahima Sissoko as a sentry and he has repositioned Dimitri Liénard in the centre. “I made the choice to be stronger in recovery, confirmed Antonetti on Friday. Prcic is a very good footballer, but he is more of an organizer than a fighter. It will be useful in some matches. » Adding Morgan Sanson, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (injured), Jean-Eudes Aholou, Diarra and Kandil would move Prcic to eighth in the midfield hierarchy.

“It must take him out of his comfort zone”

A spectacular demotion for the one who was the custodian of the attractive game developed in 2021-2022 by Julien Stéphan’s Racing, thanked in January, and who had been voted player of the season by the fans, ahead of Gerzino Nyamsi and Matz Sels. Expelled from Brest in September (1-1), the ex-Rennais has chained since the complicated matches, posting an average score of 4.71 in our columns (against 5.46 in 2021-2022). Losing confidence, he takes fewer initiatives with the ball (0.49 progressive progression [1] every 90 minutes, compared to 0.78 last season, and 5.91 progressive passes [2]against 6.71) and lost sight (1.59 action leading to a shot, against 2.63).

Sanjin Prcic in discussion with Gerzino Nyamsi, during Strasbourg-Lens (2-2, January 11). (S. Boué/The Team)

Mentally, Prcic seems to have let go at a crucial moment for his team. A situation difficult to reverse for the one who has the third highest salary in the club, after its extension until 2025 negotiated last summer. “It must take him out of his comfort zone, says someone close to the locker room. He must take back his responsibilities, display more marked game intentions and be more impactful when recovering the ball. » Still have to play for it…

[1] Possessions which bring the ball closer to the opponents’ goal line by at least 9 meters from the farthest place where the ball was for the last six passes, or any possession inside the penalty area.

[2] Successful passes which bring the ball closer to the opponents’ goal line by at least 9 meters from the farthest place where the ball was for the last six passes, or any successful pass inside the penalty area. Does not apply to passes fired from the defensive zone (40% of the field from the goal)