We were eager to make a strong impact: the Pirates of Béziers savor their success against Rouen

Interview with Lionel Teixidor, manager of the Pirates, after two victories against Rouen.

“You have just secured two prestigious wins against Rouen, the defending French champions. How did you approach this fourth day of D1?”

“With a lot of focus and conviction. We were coming out of a tough period with five consecutive weekends on the road, including preparation. We were eager to make a strong comeback in front of our fans. Even though we knew the group’s qualities, these two wins confirm our potential. With a reshuffled squad like ours, it always takes some time and a lot of adjustments.”

“Is this a reassuring outcome after the somewhat mixed start to the season?”

“It is particularly reassuring for our pitchers. Our starter Gonzalez and our three JFL pitchers (Hilal, Froment, and Guyonneau) were extremely effective during the 21 high-pressure innings. It is very promising for the rest of the competition.”

“Making the defending champions fall changes the game”

“Looking back, what do you make of these first few weeks?”

“It’s still a bit mixed. The two defeats against Montpellier were real collective failures. We also let slip away two games that were within our reach against Stade Toulousain and La Rochelle. But making the defending champions fall changes the game and allows us to approach the future with much more confidence.”

“What is the true potential of your squad this year?”

“I believe we are capable of anything. In terms of intrinsic qualities, we are on par with the best teams in the championship. However, baseball remains a team sport: the challenge is to coordinate individual talents to achieve common success. We will need to maintain the discipline and consistency that will make us regular.”

“What does the arrival of the new Venezuelan manager, Eduardo Patiño, with experience in the prestigious MLB, bring to you?”

“His words and experience are undeniable. Having a two-person staff also allows for more discussions and consultations. This complementarity is a real asset for the team.”

“How do you see the rest of the championship, starting with the clash against Sénart?”

“The championship is very balanced, everyone can beat everyone. We need to iron out our imperfections to turn tight matches in our favor. The next showdown against Sénart, who has just defeated Montpellier twice, promises to be a tough battle. We need to be ready to fight hard to overcome the Templiers.”