Matias Fernandez-Pardo: A Promising First Season at the LOSC, Between Progression and Genesio’s Incentives

Matias Fernandez-Pardo, a 20-year-old Spanish defenceman, is currently enjoying his first professional season at the Club de Sport de Lille OSC (LOSC). After six promising months marked by fifteen consecutive appearances, the season was interrupted by an injury to the return of the winter truce.

“It was complicated. I had to regain my sensations, my shape, but I still had some pain before the truce. The truce did good to rest my ankle. I’m starting to feel better every game. It’s positive,” said the Spaniard.

Since his return, Matias Fernandez-Pardo has continued to assert himself, being titularized for the eighth time in a row during the OLSC’s victory against AJ Auxerre (3-1) this Sunday. Before joining the Dogues, he had only played 28 matches (1461 minutes) under the colours of La Gantoise, with a real gain in power during the playoffs at the end of the 2023-2024 season.

Despite this progression, coach Bruno Genesio has not always been tender with his protégé. “It’s a boy who has a lot of talent, quality, but it’s the players who want the coach to bring them in, not the other way around,” he said in March.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo responded with lucidity: “The coach did not want to steal me. I think he wants the best for myself. He tries to push me every day to make me better. I think he’s aware of my abilities, he knows I can do better and more.” He also quoted Bafodé Diakité’s words about him, confirming his agreement with this analysis.

To optimize its development, Matias Fernandez-Pardo increases the effort in training and carefully observes his teammates. “The attack is a post where I want to play, so of course I watch Jona’s movements (David), its finish which is also very good. I’m trying to take from everyone, for every day to be better,” he explained with a smile. He works in particular on his serenity and concentration in front of the goal, in order to improve his finishes and passes. Matias Fernandez-Pardo is open to the advice and criticism of his coach, highlighting a relationship of trust and a total commitment to progress to the highest level.