La Rochelle edged out Clermont with a final score of 25-20 during their intense face-off at Marcel-Deflandre Stadium on December 21, 2024, as both teams battled fiercely to secure precious points.
Christophe Urios, the head coach of Clermont, reflected after the match on his team's efforts, stating, “I knew there would be space here at La Rochelle after the European Cup. There was no slackening on their part, but I found my team rose to the occasion.” His demeanor illustrated the mix of admiration and frustration felt by his squad following the loss.
Urios also noted, “Today, we had to win the match. When you fall three times at the try line, you need to come away with the victory. We lacked efficiency and precision close to the lines.” At halftime, he appeared calm, pointing out, “La Rochelle had been hyper-realistic; we conceded two tries we shouldn’t have.”
Meanwhile, La Rochelle showcased their resilience and skill, particularly highlighted by the performance of Jules Favre. With no penalties conceded, nine carries, six line breaks, and significant defensive contributions, he played a pivotal role. Favre remarked, “It was a great battle. We left everything out there, but the four points are what matter most.” His commitment exemplified La Rochelle’s determination even when tactical execution faltered.
Describing the match intensity, Favre explained, “We struggled to maintain possession and had to fight through phases of being one player down due to yellow cards.” The game was highly competitive, evident as both teams racked up three yellow cards each during the fierce first period.
“Unfortunately, our second half was below par,” Favre stated. “After such a solid first half, we couldn’t keep the momentum. Yet the crowd was behind us all afternoon, and I think they were satisfied in the end.” His remarks reveal the duality of satisfaction from the win but recognition of the need for improvement.
Urios’s concerns for his team’s future were palpable as he noted, “We’re not yet a great team, but we’re progressing. Today we leave with one point, but I’m not satisfied with just this.” With upcoming fixtures including Montpellier, building on this performance is key for Clermont's ambition this season.
Despite enjoying victory, La Rochelle knows they must address issues raised during the match. Favre added, “We missed some discipline. We took two yellow cards and made too many mistakes.” This acknowledgment of areas needing improvement is precisely what will be required as they prepare for future challenges against formidable opponents, including Perpignan, Toulouse, and Leinster.
Favre expressed surprise at Clermont's strategy of opting to kick for touch during the match’s end rather than push for victory. “They were so focused on securing their bonus point,” he observed. “We wanted to take the game to them, and they helped us out by doing so.”
Looking forward, both teams recognize the La Rochelle match as one to learn from, with the season pressing on. Urios concluded, claiming the team would work hard to turn their performances around and finish strongly moving forward.
This match was more than just points; it was about showing determination, strategy, and the adaptability required to face the challenges of the rugby season.
