CS Constantine suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat against Espérance de Tunis in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final tie, played last Saturday in Constantine. The loss leaves the Algerian side with a difficult task ahead, as they must now overcome a one-goal deficit on the road to reach the semi-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.
Despite the setback, head coach Denis Lavagne remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the return leg, scheduled for next Saturday in Tunis. Speaking to Le Buteur, Lavagne emphasized the importance of mindset and unity, insisting that his players have the tools to pull off a remarkable turnaround. “I remain convinced that if my players show unity, strength, solidarity, and determination, we can pull off a feat in Radès and return home with the qualifying ticket. It’s true that the match won’t be easy, but we have a group capable of rising to the challenge and beating ES Tunis on their home turf in front of their fans,” he stated.
CS Constantine now face the formidable task of winning by at least two goals in the Tunisian capital to advance to the semi-finals. Lavagne, however, believes that the psychological edge could lie with his team rather than the defending champions. “I think we know ES Tunis quite well. We have a broader understanding of our opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. We’re not afraid of ES Tunis, and we’ll be ready this Saturday to put on a great performance and, why not, achieve another upset in this African Champions League,” he explained. “I think the pressure will be on the shoulders of the ES Tunis players. We’ll play without any pressure and we have nothing to lose, especially since our opponent is the defending champion. We have to exploit that to surprise the Tunisians and beat them on their home turf in front of their fans.”
While the club’s administrative and technical staff remain focused on the ultimate objective of winning the Algerian Cup for the first time in CSC’s history, the players appear equally determined to take the African challenge seriously. Lavagne acknowledged the mental and physical demands of competing on multiple fronts but praised his squad for their resilience.
“After this return leg in the African Champions League against ES Tunis, we will focus on the Algerian Cup match against CRB. We hope it will be scheduled for the 17th of this month so that my players can recover,” added the French coach. Balancing continental competition with domestic ambitions will be critical for CSC, as fatigue could play a major role in determining results over the coming weeks.
Despite the uphill battle, CS Constantine enter the return leg with confidence and belief. With tactical preparation, unity, and a fearless approach, Lavagne hopes his players can defy the odds and secure a historic semi-final berth against the North African giants. For fans, the upcoming match in Radès promises drama, intensity, and the potential for a memorable African football upset.
