What feeling prevails after such a match? Frustration?
“We have more than enough situations to score. By opening the score, we might think that we are making the match easier. The positive side is that we managed to create chances, something we hadn't been able to do in recent weeks. But we weren't able to make it happen… It's a shame. »
With this draw (0-0), you also miss a great opportunity to get closer to the lead in the championship…
“No matter what happens in the other stadiums, we played Pau with the ambition of climbing as high as possible in the rankings. We had good momentum at home with victories. We had, I think, a more interesting match in the offensive sector than during our last performances, even if we had won against Dunkirk and against Caen. Now, the Pau goalkeeper made some saves and we weren't precise enough to score this goal. Afterwards, the danger is to open up defensively and we saw that our opponent had opportunities to counter us. Everyone is disappointed in the locker room, but we will continue to work and move forward, even if it is a completely different match that awaits us next Saturday in Lorient. »
You have decided to change your tactical option with a 3-5-2 pattern at kick-off. For what ?
“It’s a thought we had. I found that we attacked less well in recent weeks, that we had less verticality in our game. We therefore modified a little by playing with two attackers. This therefore modified other sectors with, in particular, Matthieu (Howl) which was exposed a little higher for a good part of the match. There were also last minute changes following Friday's session. Ismaël Traoré and Alexandre Oukidja had to stop. »
“If we don’t have that…”
What assessment do you draw from the first phase?
“We did positive things but also less good things. Projection is about being more interesting, stronger. We begin the return phase facing the two leaders almost in quick succession (in Lorient then against Paris FC). It's up to us to get up to speed in the offensive and defensive structures. I think the team needs to be stronger than it has been. She is capable of doing it. Afterwards, there is also this transfer window which can move the squad. Ion will see in a few weeks. But, overall, I find that the players are committed, they are good, they don't give up. They are disappointed after this draw, but the reaction is rather good compared to our performance against Troyes in the Coupe de France. »
Speaking of the transfer window, is recruiting a striker a necessity?
“We know that this is a sector that is not necessarily too well stocked. We are thinking. It's tricky, it's difficult because of the economic aspect and the player's choice. But I think it will be an important element of the return phase: the player who arrives in this sector will have to bring us something. If we don't have that, we risk being a little short. We saw it in this match against Pau: perhaps with a professional attacker, we score this goal. »
France
