Alexandre Dujeux: "I am very pleased with things"
Having made the move from Angers to FC Lorient manager Alexandre Dujeux is ambitious ahead of the new season. Hear more as he spoke to the club's website.
How do you assess this preseason?
"So far, things have been very positive. The atmosphere is good, the squad is working well, and I am satisfied with everyone's level of commitment. We have alternated between on-field sessions, video analysis, and meetings. This camp has also allowed us to spend time together, fostering team bonding and camaraderie. That was important for continuing to get to know one another. Physically, I think we have reached the peak of our workload. Overall, I am very pleased with things."
The squad is still subject to change during this camp. How are you handling that situation?
"My immediate focus is on the four-day break scheduled after the Guingamp match. For me, the pre-season preparation is split into two phases. This first part has allowed me to observe all the players, discover their qualities, and learn more about their personalities off the pitch. It is a period of assessment and discovery. Once it concludes, we will take stock before starting the second phase of preparation, which will focus more on refining our playing style."
Beyond the pitch, what does a training camp like this offer?
"A camp serves several purposes. It allows us to work on physical, tactical, and technical aspects, of course, but also to strengthen team spirit. We deliberately create moments for bonding—like the activity organized on the beach—while also allowing the players some free time. These are important moments for building a cohesive team. The difference compared to some previous seasons is that we don’t yet have our final squad in place. However, that shouldn't stop us from making the most of this exceptional setting and continuing to move forward together."
After the match against Nantes, you mentioned the need to work on pressing and verticality. Is that a priority area?
"Yes. We’ve continued to focus on our defensive organization and pressing. The goal is to ensure that when we win the ball back in favorable areas, we can transition forward much more quickly. This week has been very intense physically, with a lot of demanding sessions. Matches allow us to gauge the progress we’ve made, even though we know there is still a lot of work to do."
How will the pre-season continue after this camp?
"We’ll resume training at Kerlir to begin the second phase. We’ll then face the UNFP team and Angers, before traveling to Germany for another short training camp lasting several days. This second part of the preparation will be crucial for fine-tuning our team play. By then, the squad composition is also likely to have changed further."
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