Haise: “We’ll have to be even better” than against Saint-Étienne

Axel Allag, Media365, published on Wednesday September 25, 2024 at 8:36 a.m.

After the 8-0 win over Saint-Étienne, Nice will launch its European campaign this Wednesday evening, with the reception of Real Sociedad (9 p.m.). For Franck Haise, it will be imperative to raise the bar.

The need to make a distinction. Last Friday, against ASSE (8-0), OGC Nice obtained a “rare result” which validated in immense proportions the recent progress of the Côte d’Azur club, but it is unlikely that such a festival will be repeated against Real Sociedad. “But we know that in a different competition we will have to be both in continuity, and be even better”, stressed Franck Haise in front of the press, followed by his captain, Dante. “If we want to do good things in Europe, we must not rely too much on our results in the championship”, judged the captain of the Aiglons.

“We won’t always win 2-0 after seven minutes”

Although 16th in La Liga, with only one win to their name, Real Sociedad is feared by the new Nice coach, who is convinced that their current ranking does not reflect their real level. “Even if Real Sociedad is struggling with results at the moment, they are still a very strong team and when I see the level they are capable of having against Real a few days ago (0-2 defeat), I know that we will have a lot to do tomorrow night (this Wednesday, editor’s note)”, assessed Haise, who then praised the Basque club. “Real Sociedad are coming off a season in the Champions League, qualifying for the round of 16, they have that experience. We will have to play the matches at some point or another. What matters is that we are at our best. If our opponents are stronger, they have the right to beat us. But what matters is that we are at our best, or close to it in any case.”

“Certainly this team will not stay in this place in La Liga because it has too many qualities to stay there”, Haise could compose without a former Real player, namely Mohamed-Ali Cho. “Today, he is uncertain. It is at the level of the back of the foot, around the heel”, specified the technician concerning the attacker. Before the start of the Europa League this Wednesday evening, Haise finally reframed the perspective, estimating that Nice “will not always win 2-0 after seven minutes”. Even if the Gym supporters would dream of it.