“This kind of match leaves us with a taste of unfinished business”

Held in check by Nantes (1-1), for its very first match of the calendar year, LOSC did not live up to Bruno Genesio’s expectations. According to the latter, this match is a good reminder for his entire group. Interview.

What feeling prevails after this match?

We had a rather serious first period, against a well-grouped opponent, who defended well. We managed to open the score, which is no easy feat in this type of match. I think we did a little less in the second half. A little less in Ligue 1 is not enough to win a match. We don’t have much margin, we don’t even have any. We must therefore always do our best in all areas. We lacked a little too much in the second half to achieve our domination a second time or at least maintain our one-goal advantage.

We felt a disparate state of form in the offensive sector. How do you explain it?

There was a break, although it wasn’t very long. Some come back faster than others. We are also dependent on the match. We had possession, control, we touched a lot of balls in the area, but not in good conditions. Which could have allowed us to create more opportunities and situations to score this second goal which would have sealed the fate of the match. It’s always a collective problem. He generally lacked ball calls, even if Nantes was grouped together. We should have been more generous in our appeals. We also lacked simplicity in our game. We fell into a false rhythm in the second half, we fell asleep ourselves with very sterile possession. We didn’t know how to bring the touch of madness we needed. It’s the story of a match, of a recovery. We must accept it and draw the consequences to see what we can still improve.

We also saw some small defensive shifts in concentration…

Quite. The disallowed goal should have alerted us, made us more alert. Unfortunately, we didn’t do it and we were penalized on a counter. We are inattentive at the start of the action, on a long ball. It’s a set of things. I will say it again, Ligue 1 is a very tough championship, all the teams are difficult to beat. We haven’t been 100% enough in all areas to hope for better.

I had several options. Players also have the freedom to switch, as long as the zones are respected. Initially, I wanted to put Hakon on a side that I thought had more ability to make runs without the ball. Afterwards, very quickly, we readjusted with Hakon who remained in his position as playmaker and Rémy (Cabella) who moved to the right. With him, the advantage is that he can play in all positions up front or even a step lower in the middle. He’s an intelligent boy, good technically. This was one of the most consistent in this match with our captain. Most of the time the danger came from him.

Since the start of the season, you have dropped points after leading in matches that were within your reach on paper. Is this the big aspect to correct?

This kind of match leaves us with a taste of unfinished business about the first part of the season. It is certain that we have an area of ​​progress in this area. I say it again, we have very little margin. We’ve known it from the start. The balance is very fragile. You must constantly be as focused as possible, make the right choices, whatever is necessary physically to avoid all that. We must continue to work.

You recognize that this team sometimes needs some management support. Do you feel the need to do this?

Yes, because I also saw things that I didn’t necessarily like. I’ll keep that for the inside, the players and the staff. There is never any chance. If we only take one point, against a deserving opponent, even though we had opened the score, it’s because we didn’t all do our best. For different reasons.

Comments collected by Enzo PAILOT

Photo credits: Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport