Coach, how did things go after Rennes/Brest?
« It was a difficult start to the week. It took a while to digest and then came the time for projection. In the end, things went fairly quickly, as the week wasn't very long. We're looking ahead to Metz, against an opponent who's playing for their survival in Ligue 1, with all the difficulties that will entail. We'll have to be ready mentally and also in terms of our game to respond to their specific characteristics. »
How did you react after the match?
« Of course things have to be said and there have to be changes in tone. After games like this, we need to be transparent and honest. We also have to continue to stick together and unite because the season isn't over yet. What makes me angry is that we're only talking about the shortcomings and the mistakes, but we haven't praised the quality of the match and the performance, because it was a great match with two teams that were always willing to play and to cause problems for their opponents. It's something that's been somewhat overlooked because of the result. I'm not saying it's not normal, but there were a lot of good things, particularly in terms of attacking play and character. But yes, that was wiped out by the five goals we conceded. »
Fingers pointed at the defence...
« That wasn't the case in the second half of the season, we weren't badly placed. We were among the best defenders, something we hadn't experienced for several months. Against Brest, we decided to solve the problem that had been identified, namely crosses and presence in the penalty area. We knew that Steve Mounié was very difficult to control in the box. »
How do you feel about the state of mind?
« The players didn't give up mentally, far from it. However, we'll see what happens in the last three games. We won at Nantes, we played a very good game at Monaco but weren't rewarded. We missed two games, Strasbourg and Toulouse. Two games doesn't mean we've given up. How can we get back on track? By making certain choices, as we did at Nantes. I still say that we played a great collective attacking game against Brest. If we'd been a bit more successful, we'd have seen things differently. It was the last move that really hurt us, but it's clear that we're not going to give up. It's out of the question to let anything happen, and I hope we'll all be in that frame of mind. »
What is your analysis of FC Metz?
« This is a team that plays a lot against its opponents. They have managed to increase their attacking efficiency, particularly with the return of Georges Mikautadze. Above all, they are a team fighting for survival, and we know what that means in terms of commitment and motivation. These are certainly the most difficult matches to get to grips with, and there's a whole club and a whole city behind their team as they try to stay in Ligue 1. »
Georges Mikautadze is FC Metz's main threat.
« Metz have a lot of transitions where he's there to finish. They have the ability to recover balls very low down and make long runs. He's a player who's a bit unburdened in defensive duties. He uses his energy and talent to add value to attacking balls in the last twenty metres, and he's very effective and realistic.»
Matchday 32 - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
FC Metz / Stade Rennais F.C.
Saturday 4 May 2024 - 7.00pm CET
Stade Saint-Symphorien
