After OL-ASSE (1-0) – Pascal Dupraz: “It wasn’t even a great Lyon, it was a lion cub…”

Touched, yes. But not cast yet. In a derby that will probably not go down in history, ASSE chained a seventh loss against OL (1-0) without really rebelling, despite a slightly more encouraging second half. But the Greens, still last and with the specter of Ligue 2 which is approaching very seriously, do not intend to give up their arms. Although disappointed, even annoyed, Pascal Dupraz said he wanted to fight to the end despite the disappointment.

“We didn’t exist in the first half, he first lamented at the microphone of Amazon Prime. The ball did not come out of the feet, with many technical errors. It wasn’t even a great Lyon, it was a lion cub… I thought we could have done better (…) In the second half, it was better in intentions, energy. But not in execution. We have a lot of absentees, but the young people fought. We are disappointed to have lost against this little Lyon. But we’re not going to give up.”

Despite a crestfallen expression and a monotonous voice, the ASSE coach tried to wake up his troops. “There are still a lot of matches and therefore points to take, he warned. The group needs to stay focused. I will continue to encourage the players, to say that we should not trust the calculations. We have a one in two chance of saving ourselves. Either it’s the descent or the maintenance. I will make the players free themselves more. And above all, pocket points and never let go.“A feeling shared by Paul Bernardoni, who has just arrived but author of a very strong speech.

“I have already experienced this in Nîmes, told the guardian to Amazon Prime. What is important is the mentality. I’m not a liar, and I see here that the guys don’t give up. They are 100%. Everyone is at full speed, you have to know that. We won’t let go and we will (…) It’s quite a challenge for me, but it’s very motivating. I told the guys when I entered the locker room earlier: “We’re going to hold on!”. A club like that can’t go down to Ligue 2. When I see the mentality of the guys who are struggling… These are signs. The guys are there, and they are strong. We believe in. We will do it.” For that, it may be necessary to count on the end of the winter transfer window.

“We are still waiting for reinforcements, a striker and a side. We work for that, everyone is aligned. Our leaders have the same desire, to get out of this bad situation“, assured Pascal Dupraz, who therefore hopes for two recruits by February 1, in addition to the returns from the CAN. With all the same goal: to save ASSE from hell.