Claude Puel : "The most important thing is the state of mind"

How did the first training session go with your new team?

I always touch the fall first. The message is taken better that way. It was a soft restart for certain players because many are playing multiple matches in a row. Our adversary will have an additional day to recuperate. We have to manage the bodies we call upon. We worked our technique, game play, things a bit more fun. We will get to the heart of the matter Sunday morning. I did not want to give them grief today (Saturday). There will be no miracles. I do not want to mess everything up in a few hours.

What is your understanding of this first Derby in Vert?

A derby is always special. There is much expectation and passion. It’s a match that’s not easy to prepare for. The players are playing multiple matches in a row. So we’re going to face a team that has the distinctive characteristic of changing their system and that can make an important rotation at the heart of its team. This will certainly be the case Sunday. Having another day of recuperation is enormous. We have no shortage of small problems, no shortage of unavailable players. We do not have any more lateral players, for example. We’ll have to find solutions. The only advantage is that it’s a derby. For these types of matches, we forget how tired we are.

In what state of mind did you find your players during the last few weeks?

In Nîmes, I saw a solid team, that was having trouble, lacking confidence, but that won three precious points. In this situation, it was important. Thursday, the team was coherent, played with more intensity in the game, there was more communication between the players and less technical mistakes. That the basis on which we must continue.

Will the context be special for you?

There is no special context for me. I don’t work like that. I always prepare my team for good reasons. I was inducted yesterday Friday. Of course, I have no hindsight, I do not yet know my players well. I’m going to support them, try to help them. I will share the difficulties of the moment with them during this match. So that we can together go look for something. If that removes the pressure from my players, all the better. This is neither anticipated, nor prepared for in this way. I don’t have a lot of time to prepare the game. I know the importance of this match. Where we cannot be caught failing, we need the right conditions and the right state of mind.

How did your first few hours go at ASSE?

Yesterday (Friday), we had a tight agenda. I met my staff, took stock of the situation with the doctor. The important thing was to not get lost with so much information. I will meet many people individually next week during the international break. The objective is to put all our forces together to approach this match as best as possible. It was a special situation, yes, but I am determined that we win it. There are many obstacles to overcome. It’s up to us to make the obstacles as small as possible. I am persuaded that we will be ready tomorrow (Sunday).

You’ll have the advantage of playing this Derby in front of your fans.

We’ll really need the 12th man. I perceived that Thursday evening when the team was able to play with intensity. The fans can be extraordinary. We feel a fervour, a background noise. For the players, that’s enormous.