Did you think victory was still possible before Brighton Labeau scored in the 88th minute of play?
We knew that this match was so unstable and complicated that we were perhaps heading towards a 0-0. Now we had to seize every opportunity. We had a lot of waste in the last thirty meters in particular. We started a few situations, but we were never able to conclude them, whether in the first or second half, because of bad choices or technical waste. On nights like that, you have to know how to keep your clean sheet first, and then hope to be successful in a situation. I attach a lot of importance to the content of our matches, but hey, sometimes, to get through a season and build it, you have to be able to seek positive results in such conditions. Since the start of the season, we have always had to control things to get points. This evening (Friday), we had much less control but we were able to get the points.
You get a good first twenty minutes in before things fall apart. Why, do you think?
Yes, we had a good first quarter of an hour, I thought we were well into the match. And then, after that, we had a completely mind-boggling twenty minutes, with losses of ball in our ball runs, especially in our camp. Obviously, we gave ammunition to this Martigues team. We can be behind at half-time without a good save from Enzo (Basilio). Overall, we may have seen the difference between a team in difficulty, which is not having success, and another which is more confident, for which things are going better at the moment. It's hard for this Martigues team. I have strong thoughts for Thierry Laurey and his whole gang. Already against Red Star, they had experienced the same scenario. Coming to play far from home is a huge handicap, especially on this complicated terrain which does not allow playing.
Is this unusual waste explained other than by the condition of the lawn?
This is only part of the explanation. We were sometimes too slow in our choices, or we rushed things when the game was closed and we had to look for spaces elsewhere. We have our share of responsibility. But I can assure you, despite everything, that this type of terrain does not favor team play.
Were you taken by this kind of closed session and this strange atmosphere?
In any case, I was dreading this match, really. We knew that it would be a tricky encounter against an opponent who was in difficulty but who was playing for his survival with a lot of intensity. There was also this empty stadium. A lawn that was deteriorating and making things difficult for everyone. We feared this context and I found that in terms of state of mind, the players were exemplary, if not good in the game. But, from time to time, you have to know how to take this type of points.
Thierry Laurey (Martigues coach): “Sad for the players”
“I’m frustrated and sad for the players. I think we really played a complete match, we created possibilities. (Enzo) Basilio made two superb saves. In the end, they won because we made a small mistake in the 88th minute of play. We had a moment of loss of concentration, which cost us dearly. It's the bad luck of the last one but we must not lack lucidity either. If we are here, it is because there are objective reasons. If we had played matches like this before, we would not only have nine points. I liked the state of mind that we showed. The guys were brave. They deserved to leave at least with a point. Sylvain (Ripoll) had nice words, he’s a caring person, who I really appreciate.”
