Toulouse-MHSC: “Aggressiveness, confidence and heading”, the real return of “Kiki” Kouyaté highly anticipated

Two weeks ago, Kouyaté's return lasted only thirteen minutes before being sent off against Angers. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

The Malian defender, whose return was cut short by a sending off against Angers, is available again. And is raising a lot of hope when it comes to challenging Toulouse at the Stadium, this Sunday, January 26 (5:15 p.m.).

“It's the rainbow of this start of the year.” Before the first match of 2025, in Lyon, Jean-Louis Gasset did not hide his enthusiasm at the idea of ​​recovering “Kiki” Kouyaté, injured in October. Since then, the MHSC coach has seen a bit of everything, especially yellow and red, like the cards collected by the 27-year-old Malian for his return against Angers (1-3). Fifteen days later, the central defender is ready for his return, the real one, and still arouses as much hope.

“He will bring us his aggressiveness, his confidence, his heading game”, listed Gasset this week, who sees in his player, “respected by all”, a leader of desire and impact.

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In a defense in perpetual search of stability, the athletic presence of the ex-Troyen will not be a luxury. This one is still surfing on a black series: since April 7, 2024, the MHSC has never completed a single one of its 25 official matches without conceding a goal. Another negative stat for a rearguard beaten 43 times this season in 18 games.

Sylla: “He will bring us a lot of things”

Can the return of Kouyaté, before a possible recruitment (the Marseillais Meïté ?), finally reverse the trend ? He will already have to digest the false start experienced against the SCO.

That evening of shipwreck, the former Messin had tuned in to the rout. And after three months of waiting, spent treating an inflammation of the right knee operated on in October, he had only stepped on the pitch for thirteen minutes, between the 71st and 84th minutes, sent off for two yellow cards.

Caught up by an excess of commitment, already naturally very high in him, Kouyaté had suddenly lost his tireless smile. “He wanted to help the team because he knows what awaits us. He didn't have a good experience with that. But that's football, it happens, puts his teammate Issiaga Sylla into perspective. He's going to bring us a lot of things”.

Gasset has no doubts and didn't need to reassure Kouyaté. “He's a pro, he knows what he has to do, he knows that from time to time, he doesn't have any brakes.” This Sunday, the Malian, who has been waiting for this for months, has to loosen them as much as hold back. For “Kiki” and the MHSC to get back together, for good.

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