For their return to the top flight, FC Lorient have pinned their attacking hopes on Adrian Grbic, who bagged an impressive 17 goals in 26 Ligue 2 BKT matches for Clermont Foot last season. Both club and player are hoping he can maintain his form for the coming season in Ligue 1 Uber Eats…

You learned your trade in Austria and then at Stuttgart, but you didn't make the breakthrough until last season. What was the trigger for your move to Clermont?

"In Austria they didn't respect me. I had never thought about playing in France but I went to Clermont because they showed me for a long time that they really wanted me. They respected me and gave me a lot of self-confidence. That's the most important thing, the confidence - of the team, of the coach, of everyone at the club. That's what I missed in Austria. And I feel that confidence on the pitch. I have more confidence in myself, I try more things and when I shoot, I have more confidence that it will go in. These are little things, but in football that's what makes the difference."

With a total of 17 goals and four assists in 26 league games last season, you were a sought-after player this summer. Why did you choose Lorient?

"I wanted to stay in France, because the football here suits me well. Every country has its own style of play. In Spain it's more technical, in England it's more physical. For me, in France there's a combination of technical and physical football and I think that suits me well. I like technical football but I'm also a tall man (1.88m) who also works on the physical side."

Do you feel ready for League 1 Uber Eats?

"Of course! It's every player's dream to play in a big league. You always want to make progress, and you give everything to reach this level. We know it's going to be difficult, but we're ready and we're working hard every day for that. I want to have a very good season. I think we have a very good team and we can score a lot of points. We know what's ahead of us. Teams like PSG, OL... So many good teams! We're going to prepare ourselves, match after match, but I see every day in training that each player on our team is giving more than 100%."

So is this your chance to win a place for Euro 2021? You have played for Austria at youth level but your dual nationality could see you turn out for Croatia…

"Maybe I would have already been selected this year [if Euro 2020, postponed because of the coronavirus, had taken place]. There aren't that many strikers in Austria at the moment. At least I can progress another year in a stronger division. Going there next year is my goal. I'm working hard for that. If I'm selected for the national team, I'll be very proud. If not, I'm not that old..."

(Photo: FC Lorient)