CSKA's French footballer Thibaut Vion already has 154 matches and 5 seasons behind him for the “army“. The versatile fighter gave an interview to the club's television, in which he spoke about the love of the fans and the goals for the squad, BTA reported.
“We started very difficult in the championship. However, the change of coach had its impact and we are already performing much better. We only have to look forward to consolidate the good impressions from the last matches and achieve our goals.
I think that Tomas is really a very good coach with modern, European views on the game. Of course, to impose these views, time is required. Not everything can be achieved in 1-2 months, but I think this is the right path. We are gradually getting used to its requirements and we will continue to develop“, Vion began.
The Frenchman feels like an integral part of the “reds“ and is sympathetic to the club's cause: “Even before I came to CSKA, I had heard about the club. Especially about its European matches. I knew that it was a great team. Then I saw it firsthand. You just have to go to the stadium, see how many people support us, all this choreography… This is a great team! And our task is to please these fans with our performances, to achieve good results and big victories“.
Vion has contributed to the arrival of striker Godwin Koyalipu: “We played together with Koyalipu back in Niort – he was very young then, but also very talented. His potential and qualities stood out. I think that leaving Niort and deciding to develop his career in other countries had a positive effect on him. It was clear that he would become a good scorer. I am glad that this is happening now in CSKA“.
Thibault Vion is considered one of the toughest players in the CSKA squad: “Off the pitch I am completely different. I would say that I am quiet, modest, I like to stay at home with my family. I have nothing in common with what the fans see during the matches. The truth is that when the match starts, I feel completely different. As soon as I see the fans who have come to the stadium, I give my all. Regardless of whether we win or lose - because everything happens in sports - they must be convinced that we leave our souls on the pitch for them. And to make them come to the stands again next time to support us. This is my credo – to give 100 percent, whatever happens. Sometimes there are circumstances that are beyond our control. We must always try to win and give our best“.
The 10-year-old French defender attracted the attention of the coaches from the Metz academy, where he spent 8 years. A transfer to the Portuguese giants Porto followed and a world title with France U20.
„I was already a Porto player. In the previous season, they included me in the group for the European Youth Championship, and in 2013, they also called me up to the France U20 national team. Our team was full of very good players who played for the strongest European clubs. I admit that I was not a main figure, but I still had my contribution. I even managed to score a goal against Spain. It was an honor for me to play for France and when they counted on me, I always gave my all. In the end, we became world champions“.
154 matches later, he admits that his mission at CSKA - Sofia is not complete: “It is a great honor for me to have managed to record so many matches with the CSKA jersey. When I signed, I did not think about such numbers and statistics. My goal was to give my best, to win trophies, to play in Europe… To a certain extent, we achieved it. I am happy and thank God that I did not have many injuries and that I managed to accumulate a sufficient number of matches in each of these seasons. I am also grateful to the coaches for counting on me. I hope to record even more matches for the club.
Dream number 1 - not only for me, but also for all my teammates, is for the team to become champions. I know that the team has not won the title for quite a few years. I hope to be part of the team that will bring it to the club. This will bring great joy to all the fans, and for us, the players – it will be a huge honor if we can achieve it“.