“Your team delivered a fairly lackluster first period…
You are right, in the first period, the team delivered pressure which was not good. Offensively, we tried to press high, but it wasn’t fair. The full-backs pressed high on the opposing pistons, but poorly. There was fear, fatigue too. It’s normal when you play every three days, in fact we’re mainly focusing on video at the moment.
There was a lack of energy, Rennes, who are also involved in the European Cup, also slowed down in the second half, this reflects on our merit. We tried a different way of pressing after the break, with a more defensive block. It was a little better, but overall the match was difficult, yes. What was important tonight (Sunday), it wasn’t the manner, or having a good looking team, but the fact of winning the match. We have just had two wins in a row for the first time this season, we will be happy with that. The team needs to move up the standings.
“It seemed as if they no longer had any strength, that an elastic band was preventing them from moving forward”
What was your speech at the break?
I saw players very concerned, I didn’t like their faces at the break. In the dressing room it looked like they were losing three goals to zero, while we were down one goal to zero. It seemed as if they no longer had any strength, that an elastic band was preventing them from moving forward. We knew we had to suffer, after spending a lot of energy on Thursday in the Europa League (against Ajax Amsterdam, 4-3). We had to be more aggressive, not keep this fear. I really liked the way they came back in the second half, we recovered more balls.
Can you give an update on the physical condition of your group?
Clauss came out during the break, it’s a choice. Jordan Veretout suffered a blow to his ankle on Thursday, and he was still in discomfort yesterday (SATURDAY), he took anti-inflammatories, he wasn’t 100% for tonight’s game… We still have five games in 17 days. Lodi’s adductors hiss, he grits his teeth. Kondogbia, if I had had the luxury of releasing it during the break, I would have done so. But on a human level, I am happy to be able to count on such involved players, with values, an inner flame.