DZfoot Interview: Anis Ouzenadji, "I feel better, I'm progressing slowly" (video)

It happened during a U13 tournament, I was number 10, which means I touched the ball a lot, I already had good control of my left foot, and I had a rather offensive profile.
I had done a few trials before, but for me, Troyes was the most interesting choice, there were also more prestigious clubs, but the important thing was to progress step by step and prove my worth, and the fact that Troyes was not too far from Paris was also a determining factor.

DZfoot: How did your progression go at Troyes?

In my first year, I was in U16, but I was already playing with the U17s, it happened quite quickly. I spent a year in each category. In the 2nd year in U17, I played half the season before starting to move up to U19, and there was also the Gambardella Cup (French Junior Cup) with the 2005 generation. Then, I had a season in U19, and then in the reserve.

DZfoot: You mentioned that you were number 10 at the time, what position did you play in U19?

In U19, I had already become a left-back, this change occurred in U17. Initially, I was a left winger in U17, but the left-back got injured, and there was no one to replace him, so the coach put me in and it went quite well. Since then, I haven't left that position.

DZfoot: You mentioned the Gambardella, and you reached the semi-finals against Nancy, it was a great adventure, wasn't it?

Yes, it was a great adventure, it was a wonderful competition, even though I think that we could have gone further, we had the potential to do so. One could say that it was my first failure, so it shaped me for the future, it also clarified my aspirations.

DZfoot: What was your vision at that time?

It made me want to reach the highest level, because playing in U19, you don't necessarily play in big stadiums, and I remember that in the Gambardella, we played in Nancy, on the professional pitch, the Stade Marcel-Picot, it was a big stadium, there were all their supporters, it simply motivated me to go even further.

DZfoot: Shortly after, you were called up to the youth national team with the U19 in France, and then you made the jump to the pros.

Yes, that's correct. I then played a season in National 3 (D5) with the reserve and I started training with the pros. The following season, I directly joined Ligue 2.
Since I was regularly moving up with them, it meant that I already knew some of the players.

DZfoot: At first, you were Ismael Boura's backup, the Comorian international. How did you manage to become a starter?

Yes, at first, I was his backup. I fought for my opportunities, I started coming on at the end of matches, gradually, and I began to get playing time, playing a few matches as a starter, and that's how it went.

It was my first season as a pro, I had to adapt at first because it was a bit difficult, as the transition from amateur football to playing in such stadiums is far from simple. But I adapted quietly, I did what I had to do, and it ended with a promotion to Ligue 1. It was exceptional!

DZfoot: It was a memorable season as you said, did you expect to be promoted that year?

Honestly, yes, with the signings made, we knew we had the necessary squad, although we felt it would be complicated. We were all united, like a family, and we didn't give up until the end.

From the start of the season, we were at the top, but there was a more difficult period where it started to tighten up, so we had to stay focused until the end, and it ended during the match in Saint-Etienne.

DZfoot: You arrived in Ligue 1, but how did you become a starter from the first match?

I found myself as a starter because Ismael Boura got injured during the preparation, which meant the coach immediately called on me. I played the last preparation match against a Greek team as a starter, and it went very well, and then I was launched against Paris FC.

DZfoot: You talked earlier about a full stadium in Nancy, this is something else in Ligue 1?

Yes, it’s really different, there are more people, even though it had already started the previous season in Ligue 2. The difference lies mainly in the intensity, it’s not the same at all, the quality of the players, every weekend, you face world-class opponents, so you have to be ready.

DZfoot: In terms of media, you are a reserved person. How do you manage all of this?

It’s a bonus, but honestly, I don’t pay too much attention, even though I hear a bit of what is said around me, it simply pushes me to do even better.

DZfoot: How do you see the rest of the season with the difficult results you are currently facing?

It’s certain. We are going through a difficult period, it is normal for a season to have ups and downs, but I am convinced that we will bounce back quickly, there is also a period of adaptation, because for the most part, we are all discovering Ligue 1.

DZfoot: Belonging to the City Group and seeing your teammate Mathys Detourbet transfer for 25 million euros to Manchester, how does that feel?

It makes you think that anything is possible, it motivates us to see someone like Mathys make that transfer, it makes us want to do the same, so it’s a source of motivation.

DZfoot: And for you, how do you see the future, at only 19 years old, do you have a career plan?

No, I’m not stressing about that, for now I’m enjoying the playing time I can get. For the moment, I’m striving to recover quickly to get back on the pitch. Playing, getting as many matches as possible and for the rest, it will come naturally.

DZfoot: You changed your sporting nationality and were called up by coach Rafik Saifi to the Algeria U21 team, how did this change happen?

It happened naturally, he spoke with my father, informing him that they wanted to see me in their team, and for me, it’s a tremendous pride, it’s the country of my parents, my mother is from Algiers and my father from Boumerdes, it’s the country I go to almost every summer, my whole family lives there, it’s simply a pride.

DZfoot: How did the first contact, the first training camp go?

It went well and not well, let’s say because I got injured of course, but I was able to meet other people, discover a new environment, so frankly, it pleased me.

We first want to qualify for the CAN, during the next training camp, there will be qualifying matches. We want to validate this step first, once that’s done, there will be the Olympics, so we want to go as far as possible.

DZfoot: You got injured in South Africa, how did you experience those matches with the African atmosphere?

It’s different, a bit more complicated, the pitches are not like here (in France), the reality is that it’s difficult, the climate also plays a role, but that’s how it is it’s Africa simply.

DZfoot: You also have the senior team in mind. Are you watching the competition?

Of course, that’s the goal, it’s up to me to work and continue to perform well in Ligue 1, and I’m convinced that it will come naturally.

Yes, yes, Iwatch, it’s a great competition with very good players like Hadjam and Aït Nouri. I enjoy following their matches, it helps me to see them evolve on the pitch because our playing styles are similar, so I can observe what they do well and what I need to do to challenge them.

DZfoot: What are your current qualities?

My qualities are exactly what is expected from full-backs today, namely to contribute offensively because we no longer rely solely on forwards, but also on full-backs who must create overloads and apply pressure in front of goal.

There’s also the defensive aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. Since I wasn’t trained in this position, there are aspects I still need to refine, but I’m someone who learns quickly and I’m convinced I will correct these little details.

DZfoot: Who were your role models when you were young?

Mahrez! Considering his journey, he comes from the Paris region like us, he grew up in Sarcelles, that proves that anyone can succeed. Especially when I was little, I played in the same position as him, I projected myself onto him and let’s not forget everything he has accomplished for Algeria!

DZfoot: "You wore number 26 with the national team in training!"

No, it’s not related to that (laughs), it was assigned to me randomly, but it could have been the case if I had stayed in attack (his training position).

DZfoot: What can we wish for you? To keep playing until you’re 35 like him?

That’s for sure, but first, you can wish me a good recovery, that I return quickly, and continue on my path.

DZfoot