Long criticized for his tactical errors, Vincent Collet nevertheless managed to lead the French team to a second consecutive Olympic final.

Monstrous since the start of the tournament in Paris, Mathias Lessort gave his honest opinion on the coach.

The path has been tortuous, but the French team will indeed fight for the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Authors of two enormous performances (especially defensive) against Canada and Germany, the Blues surprised more than one in these elimination stages.

Because the group stages did not suggest that the Tokyo Olympic vice-champions would be in such a party, far from it.

Before triumphing against the Mannschaft in the semi-finals, Vincent Collet’s men had indeed taken the plunge against them while the victories acquired against Brazil and Japan were not very convincing.

And the first to be singled out for this was obviously the coach, but the latter knew how to respond in style by applying tactical adjustments that proved to be profitable.

Mathias Lessort admires Vincent Collet’s work
First, we can mention the starting positions of Isaïa Cordinier and Guerschon Yabusele as well as more playing time granted to Mathias Lessort.

The three men were the great architects of the French revival during these Paris Games, bringing an absolutely remarkable energy and intensity.

Interviewed by Basket News after the victory against Germany, the latter also covered Collet with compliments:

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Vincent Collet made a great adjustment.

His coaching has been incredible recently. Obviously he told me that my playing time would increase, so I had to be ready. And obviously I was ready.

I am always ready to help my team and give my all when I am on the court.

He has recently trusted me and the best thing I can do is go on the court, give 100% and show him that he is right to trust me.

The respect seems decidedly mutual between the two men, Collet explaining that he did not understand why Lessort was not already in the NBA.

One thing is for sure, the interior is boiling and he keeps the same attitude towards the upcoming clash with Team USA.

The EDF is obviously not the favorite, but that does not mean that it is not fighting for the Olympic title in the eyes of the Tricolore:

Of course, we can win. We are in the Olympic final.

We are not here by luck, we are here because we deserve it.

Whoever our opponent is in the final, we will fight and we will try to make it as difficult as possible to beat us, and we will give everything we have on the pitch.

Vincent Collet fumbled in the preparation phase as well as at the start of the 2024 Olympics and it was felt both in the game and in the results.

But the coach has found his mojo again since the quarter-finals and Mathias Lessort is the first to recognize it.