Montpellier: Issiaga Sylla wants to rediscover his best form
Issiaga Sylla is fit again. The Guinean left-back, sidelined since September, is available to play once more
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24 September 2023. That was the last time Issiaga Sylla played a match for Montpellier, a 0-0 draw away at Rennes. Four days later, the Guinean defender picked up a calf injury, which ruled him out of action. However, the wait is now over, as the 29-year-old is fit again. He will therefore be available for the trip to Nantes on Sunday 22 October, in matchday 9 of Ligue 1. It is a chance for the Guinea international (74 caps, 3 goals) to rediscover some consistency. He admits himself that he is unhappy with his start to the season (6 starts in the 6 matches he has played).
“I'm not too happy with my start to the season. Honestly, I'm not at the level of last season. I have to work even harder to get back to the rhythm I had. It's above all a physical issue,” Issiaga Sylla says, as reported by Midi Libre. “We were away with the national team, and we came back a bit later. I missed part of the pre-season, and that hurt me a little. I don't like missing pre-season.”
A symbolic return
During his recovery, Issiaga Sylla tried to make up for it by putting in extra work in training sessions. “I lost my physical condition. Everyone appreciates me for my ability to double my efforts, to help the team both defensively and going forward. The coach and the fitness coach have put a programme in place to help me get that rhythm back. After every training session, I do extra work.”
Moreover, the match at Nantes holds special meaning for Issiaga Sylla. Montpellier's last visit to the Canaris was on 20 May 2023. And on that day, at the final whistle, the former Toulouse player collapsed in tears. That morning, he had learned of the death of his mother. “The coach came to see me in my room and left the choice to me. I didn't want to let the team down. I wanted to play the match for my mother, who is the pillar of my family. I saved a lot of energy and strength so I wouldn't think about it during the game, but at the end I broke down.” A chance, perhaps, to pay tribute to her…