Halfway through the season, between the championship and the European Cup, what is your assessment?
The European Cup is a very big disappointment. We fought for a whole year to be European and unfortunately, we got through it. There you have it, the observation is clear. Championship and European Cup, there is the same frustration of saying that with the squad we have and a normal rate of 2-3 injured, I think we are better classified in L1 and qualified in Europe. It's a real frustration.
Internally, have you managed to identify the reasons for these successions of injuries?
At first, we say to ourselves, well, we're out of luck. Afterwards, we say to ourselves, well, maybe we need to face things. Everything was analyzed, injury by injury, at what time. And indeed, we have progress to make, obviously.
But this start to the championship with a lot of injuries led some players to play much more than they were supposed to. Unfortunately, it's a vicious cycle. We of course observed and made decisions to try to improve all that.
Will the transfer window be the infirmary?
I think. I remember championship matches where we didn't have to be ashamed against big teams, with good play. I find that the team, when it is complete, allows for good play. So if we recovers all our troops for the second part of the season, it will be a good winter transfer window. Afterwards, in a transfer window, you never know what can happen.
The first months of Franck Haise and Florian Maurice?
First of all, I am very happy that he joined us. We had the opportunity to do them very quickly, which was a good thing. We have two extremely competent people. I really enjoyed watching some of our team's games this year. We find play again, we find opportunities. They are two great professionals, very competent, and above all who, on a human level, are quite remarkable. It feels good.
A match that you remember?
Against Paris. PSG may have progressed since then but we had a very good match. We saw the potential of the team. We weren't on defense waiting for a counter. We played great football in the first half and showed that we can achieve some of the objectives, because unfortunately, the Europa League is gone.
Winning the Cup is one of them?
I was asked if I would rather finish top 6 or win the Cup, I said: “Both!” We tasted the Cup. With sadness at the end. But I would love to go back and see 20,000 Nice people in the stadium again. And end favorably,
this time.
