Claude Puel : "We're still getting to know each other"

How did this week of training go without certain players?

We worked physically with those that remained, on rhythmic training and on practice games with the ball. We also started to give certain instructions and to insist on a lot of details with my staff. When you take over a team during the season, you try to be efficient and adapt as we were able to do against Lyon. You have to guide the players without overwhelming them. It’s certainly special for those to see a new coach arrive. 

What were you able to learn from these first fifteen days at the head of ASSE?

I’m learning to know the players by their qualities, their strengths, but also by the things that they must improve. We aren’t finished getting to know each other, but it’s interesting. We’re not looking to dramatically change everything, but we want to advance, to build ourselves up in all areas.

Did the victory against Lyon facilitate your arrival?

When there’s a new coach, there’s always concentration during the first few days. There’s much more attention when confronted with something new, that’s normal. It’s good to have played the match we played against Lyon but it’s not because we won the Derby that everything is going well and we still have much to work on. If we had lost the Derby, my words would have been the same. We have to behave the same; not suffer, move forward by being consistent.

Have you set a number of points to reach by the time the break arrives?

No. Because we’re a team that was and that is still experiencing difficulty. There is no magic wand. This victory in the Derby was superb, but there’s no need to set a number of points. We’re going to Bordeaux, a confident team that had a good beginning to the championship. Our last results against them were not very glorious. We’ll have to go there with determination.

Have you already taken stock of the enthusiasm that ASSE arouses in Saint-Étienne and in the region?

Before coming here, I thought it was an interesting challenge, even if it’s always difficult to take over a team without confidence. I had this perception of the challenge, because it’s a club where there’s much passion, much expectations and an extraordinary enthusiasm. My family was in the tribunes for the Derby, they were impressed by the ambiance and by the stadium. Few clubs in France can claim to have this passion around their team.