OM-Brest: Ulisses Garcia's press conference

Ulisses Garcia: ‘It's going to be a mental battle’

A new position in the starting eleven

I feel great, I'm happy to have had some playing time in the last two matches. In terms of my position, it's not very different, I just have to close down the middle more. I've been working on that in training with the coach.

The training camp in Rome

We felt good, we worked really hard this week. We all want to achieve our goals and if that means spending a week or two in Rome, that's no problem.

The difference is that we're together all the time, we're building team spirit on and off the pitch.

A season of ups and downs

I've had some difficult times with the loft and reduced playing time at times. I'm staying positive. When things are going well, you have to enjoy it and move forward.

Discovering new teammates during the training camp

I took the time to talk to everyone and discovered Jonathan Rowe.

The arrival of Amar Dedić

It wasn't a difficult time. In a big club, there's always competition. We're continuing to work hard and hoping to get some playing time.

A calm group?

We feel very good. We're lucky to still be playing at home. We have the confidence from the last win. I feel like the group wants to take all three points.

Working with Quentin Merlin

Starting from the back, I can read the game more easily and see when to attack the space. Quentin Merlin and I work very well together.

The table

It's tight, but our destiny is in our own hands. We're focused on Brest and getting the three points.

The home fans

We're really lucky to have such supportive fans. My message to them is to keep cheering us on until the end.

The training camp in Rome

We talked a lot about the Pope's death. I think that's probably why we came back on Friday. We played a lot of table tennis – I'm the best, by the way.

Day-to-day work

Every day, the players have the opportunity to improve. The coach talks to me a lot about my contribution and the effort I need to make, and by working hard in training, I've been able to get more playing time.

OM's progress

We're doing what the coach asks of us. We need to improve on the goals we concede when we're winning 3 or 4-0.

The final sprint

It's going to come down to mental strength and desire... All the teams want to qualify. We're focused and motivated to achieve our goal.

The goal difference

We focus on defence during the week. After the last game, the coach warned us about the goal we conceded at the end.

Leonardo Balerdi

You can feel when he's there, he brings something extra. We're happy when he's there, he pushes the team forward.