Jean-Louis Gasset : "We gave it our all"

What is your reaction to this outcome?

Seeing that we pushed ourselves late in the game, a draw would have been fairer. We went the distance, the ball was passed several times in front of the net and Lecomte managed to block it several times. We took risks, we could have even let in a second goal due to a counterattack, but we lacked efficiency. We especially lacked clear-headedness when they were reduced to then players. We should have continued to wear them out, go up the sides of the field rather than rush in. But everything went by very quickly in the minute that followed the unfortunate expulsion of Congré, with a penalty not given to us, the expulsion of Rémy Cabella, then Laborde’s goal. That minute will go down in history.

What were the Verts lacking in order to have done better?

We lacked fluidity in our game style and control of the match to stay at 11 against 10 but Montpellier embarrassed us during the game. It’s a good team, they’re not behind us in the rankings by accident. It’s a solid team. They have two high quality offensive players that pose a permanent threat.

What does this match make you think of for the end of the season?

It was an important match for earning a Europa League qualification and there are two more. We’re disappointed that we didn’t win but we’re in fourth place with 62 points and there are two more matches to play before the end.

In what state of mind will you be when watching the Marseille-Lyon match, this Sunday evening?

I’ll especially think about the lineup that I’ll have to put together against Nice next week. The team will be at a disadvantage because of Rémy Cabella’s, Wahbi Khazri’s and Mathieu Debuchy’s suspensions, it will be hard to manage but we’ll try to bring the same fervour. The fans shouldn’t lose hope.