Claude Puel : “This team has heart“

Is this victory against Monaco due to the tactical adjustments that you made at half time?

Our second half was much better than our first. In the first half, we wanted to go too quickly, which facilitated Monaco’s work. We systematically threw away the ball. We have to dominate the match more and provide more support to the player with the ball. Our best plays happened after half time when we passed well between several players and made many passes overall. We lost the ball less and played in a less hurried fashion in order to score. This is the path we must follow.

What is your reaction to this fourth match without defeat at the head of ASSE?

I don’t pay attention to the streak. When you see how we must work to achieve this victory, I say to myself that we still have much work to do. On the other hand, what I see, it a team that tries to be mentally present for each match. Even if everything isn’t perfect, we cannot fail in regards of maintaining our character, effort and solidarity. It’s nice to see this state of mind. This team has heart!

ASSE is only one point from the podium. Do the rankings count at this stage of the season?

I don’t pay attention to the rankings. Of course, it’s always better to work with good results because that gives us a confidence boost, but we still have much work to do and many things to correct. The players do not communicate enough on the field. Encouraging your teammate or communicating technical information contributes to a fluid match. But we’re progressing. It’s not easy because, with the repetition of matches, the priority is given to recovery time.