Caen vs Evian Thonon Gaillard preview - Seube: We've proved we can evolve

Posted Friday, May 22, 2015 by PA

Veteran defender Nicolas Seube believes Caen's successful battle for Ligue 1 survival shows the Normandy club can evolve at the top level.

Caen won their survival fight after taking five points from their last three games - including a 3-0 home victory over second-placed Lyon - and 35-year-old Seube says they can build on that for next season.

"I am happy for the club, for our employees, for players who are new to this," Seube told the official Caen website ahead of their final game of the season, at home to Evian on Saturday night.

"These are great moments to live for everyone and we must not forget what we have achieved, it is quite extraordinary.

"The path has been long and difficult but it is well deserved and the season has finished beautifully.

"We have a healthy group of young players, and in second half of the season they proved they were able to evolve at this level."

Seube plans to play on for another season at Caen but the future does not look as bright for Evian, whose relegation to Ligue 2 was confirmed by four straight defeats.

"It is a failure and it is hard to swallow," Evian winger Modou Sougou told the official club website.

"We are all sorry for what has happened but we must forge ahead. I believe we will do so but Ligue 2 is difficult and the team must prepare accordingly.

"You feel responsible because you have not done enough but hopefully this time the club will be back (in Ligue 1) as soon as possible."

On the final game at Caen, Sougou added: "We are all focused to do well, even if psychologically it is not obvious.

"The result of the last week has been difficult but we want to finish on a good note."

Caen are still without centre-backs Alaeddine Yahia and Yrondu Musavu-King through injury.

Lenny Nangis is suspended but Julien Feret should return to midfield.

Evian's Jonathan Mensah has been suspended for four months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for his illegal transfer there in 2011, while Kassim Abdallah is unavailable following his red card against St Etienne.

Mathieu Duhamel will not feature against his parent club and Jesper Juelsgaard, Aldo Angoula and Alioune Fall could all come into contention.