“The most important thing is the mind, it’s discipline,” warned manager Lou Pierre Mignoni on Thursday, on the eve of the European Challenge final against Toulon, the first in the history of the Lyon club. “We know this team well but it’s mutual, they know us too. The most important thing is the mind, it’s discipline. A final is 50-50. There is no favorite,” assured Mignoni.
“If I had won all the finals where I was favourite, I would have had more titles… A final is played out in your head. It will be necessary to respond present in the 80th, in the 100th minute, to hope to have won something, ”added the Lyon manager.
Former international opener (28 caps between 1997 and 2007), Mignoni won the European Challenge (2007) with Clermont as a player, the European Cup (2013, 2014, 2015) and the Top 14 (2014) as a coach. deputy in Toulon. He also lost several Top 14 finals (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013) and one European Challenge (2007).
“Winning a title validates a lot of work. A title is important in building a club. It would be great for the future, it would allow players to realize their potential. It will be necessary to be able to do incredible things”, still projected Mignoni. “For the club, for the Lyon region, it is important. We would be the first team to win a title. It is important,” he continued.
Lyon faces Toulon, Friday evening (9 p.m.) in Marseille, in the final of the European Challenge.
