French Cup: The Dante – Todibo hinge put to the test by PSG

Holy duo. The young talent channeled and the great old found: in Nice, Jean-Clair Todibo (21) and Dante (38) form one of the best hinges in France, which will pass the test of Paris SG and its frightening offensive power Monday in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. Two months ago, in the league, Nice and their behind duo had held up well at the Parc des Princes (0-0). But it was from their first matches played together, when the stainless Brazilian returned in July after a serious injury to his left knee, that Dante and Todibo found each other.

« Surprised by their rapid agreement? Already, there is a lot of work. But without knowing them, just by looking at them, I was convinced of the good functioning of their association.“said their coach Christophe Galtier this week, who built around them the second best defense in L1. But with the young and talented Todibo, Galtier still had to show authority. he former Toulousain, very comfortable with the ball, had led the technician to crop it.

« Watch the grain » with Todibo

« In this position, you have to be uncompromising and incredibly rigorous. I told him he couldn’t keep trying the headscarf trick, a roulette wheel, little bridges in his surface« , explained Galtier. For his part, if he may have been upset for a time by his coach’s remarks, Todibo understood the message and corrected his vision of his position. He gained in reliability and efficiency, even if it remains perfectible in terms of concentration and quality of recovery.

And Galtier does not take his eyes off him. « I am in front, behind him, he revealed last week. We must watch the grain but it has matured and progressed. He is very attentive. He left Toulouse very young to go to big clubs where he played little. Since his arrival in Nice, he has been playing matches« In this context, Dante’s experience is obviously valuable. »He exchanges a lot with ‘JC’, as with Flavius ​​Daniliuc and all the other young people in the squad. He is also a perfect relay coach“, confirmed Galtier.

« Love story »

The young French defender, revived in Nice after failed experiences in Barcelona, ​​Schalke 04 and Benfica, knows what he owes to his eldest, who returned to a very high level despite his injury in November 2020.It is experience and wisdom. Dante, you have to respect him. He won it all. We don’t need to talk for long. He may not go very fast, but I haven’t seen many forwards pick him up« , he said. Right after his injury, the Riviera club extended the Brazilian’s contract, proof of the confidence placed in him and his importance in the group.

The new agreement expires in June and while a new extension is not officially confirmed, it is, as Galtier says, in line with « his love affair with the club, the city and the supporters ». During Jordan Amavi’s recent presentation, football director Julien Fournier also confirmed that the story with Dante was special. « In 2016, when he arrived, it was just a classic engagement discussion. We are no longer there and we no longer ask ourselves the contractual question. He knows like us what we want to do together. He is a boy who will stay with us for several years.. »