The Montpellier coach was logically disappointed by the setback conceded on Saturday December 4 in Lyon after a match in which the MHSC did “what was necessary”.
If there was merit in football, would you have won?
At least one point. We would have been disappointed if we took a point. You can imagine, returning to Montpellier with zero points after a match like that… We played the match we needed.
We defended very well, we respected very well, the state of mind was impeccable. Which was not the case in the Coupe de France. But efficiency is the key word in football. It’s been five matches that I have managed away from home with Montpellier, we still haven’t scored a goal. HASwhen, whether in Saint-Étienne, Lens or Lyon, against teams which are initially superior, we look them in the eye, we put them in trouble, we put them out of position. But in the last gesture, we fail.
What did you say to Khalil Fayad who missed before scoring his own goal?
His head was very low and he had tears in his eyes. I told him it was called experience. That it was only those who weren’t playing who couldn’t miss goals like that. The next time, he will put her in because he is a young man who has qualities. He relaxed a little bit believing it was done. Unfortunately, in this business, until the ball hits the net, it doesn’t count.
Ligue 1: the ranking and all the results of the 16th day
What qualities can you rely on for the future?
It had everything you needed. We defended very well, we were aggressive, we countered very well. Everything that was until the last 20 meters. Afterwards, the last gesture is everyone’s class. And above all, trust. We must continue like this. Everyone tells us cooked. OK, next week we host Angers. We have to beat everyone who plays in our championship. If we have the same state of mind and a little efficiency, we will be able to dream.
You had positioned Téji Savanier almost left winger. Why this choice?
Against a team that was very strong in the middle, we had to hold the ball when we had it. Arnaud Nordin was injured. We couldn’t have played with two outsiders. The fact that Téji plays on the left, he had to come inside to bring superiority, a technical note, his shot from afar. He respected it to the letter.
He had lost the armband. You gave it to Jordan Ferri. Why this choice? Is it likely to last?
The president took sanctions the day before. We knew about it but we didn’t have much time to calculate. But given Jordan’s week and playing in Lyon, I thought he was the one who was going to transmit the values needed to play this match.
Afterwards, until the end of the transfer window, not knowing which players may leave us, we will give ourselves time to think. And when the transfer window is over and we are ready to finish the season, we will make a final decision.
What’s the news from Maksimovic?
From what the physiotherapist told me, it’s important. He was hit in the knee, behind the thigh.
