Claude Puel : "Build and improve"

What did your team lack against Oleksandria?

Many small details. We were ready, concentrated. We had for that matter a good start in regards of putting pressure on our adversary and intensity. But, many things are new and are not yet integrated into our performance. We relax after we score a goal very quickly and we let them back in the game. Their goal hurt us. We then had to wait for half time to make corrections and demonstrate more consistency to circumvent their strong block. The team is still developing and will be for some time. There will be interesting moments, others that won’t come to a successful conclusion. It’s all new. The lack of training makes it so that we’re required to work in a state of urgency.

What will be the focus of your work for the next few weeks in the midst of this busy schedule?

We have to evolve, integrate everyone, put all of the players at a homogeneous level physically. Playing every three days is a consequence. What interests me first of all is having a good state of mind. And that’s the case. The last match represents, for example, our best match in terms of physical data. It’s not yet productive, certainly. But, that demonstrates that the group has their heads in the game. It’s very important because that’s the first step. We have to maintain that, build and improve.

Are you going to continue your turnover during the next few matches?

In this series of close matches, there’s no priority between the championship, the cups and the European Cup. I hope that the team has a good performance level and opportunities to represent themselves well in all competitions. I consider playing every three days to be a privilege. For the club, the fans but also for the players. The rotation also allows us to give game time to certain players and not just to a group of eleven with the objective of playing well in all the competitions.

After three weeks as its coach, what is your judgement of the team?

It’s a homogeneous team. I think that we must progress from a technical point of view, in the fluidity of our performance. We must rise together. This team still lacks creativity, players capable of making a difference on which the team could rely on more often. It’s not possible, so we must compensate with the team’s overall quality.

What is your judgement of Amiens’ team?

It’s a team that has good game principals. They’re capable of performing well in transitions, to create openings thanks to very quick players. They put pressure on your side of the field and are numerous in front of your net. Sometimes, they can develop a simple game. It’s a very well-rounded opponent. There are many things to fear from this team which obtains good results as an away team. And it’s not a surprise when we look at what this team can do.

Playing two consecutive matches on your home turf, against Amiens then against Monaco, is it an opportunity to really launch your season?

That’s not how I see it. It’s not because we’re on our home turf that we must say to ourselves that this is the moment to gain points. We must first defeat Amiens, an opponent that deserves much respect and that will make the match difficult for us. We won’t have our fans for two matches. That puts us at real disadvantage. We know the enormous support that they can bring us to have a real notion of an impregnable stadium and Cauldron. We’ll count on those who are present, who are always enthusiastic as well.