Patrick Vieira spoke to the press after his side’s defeat at Angers (3-0).

Coach, how do you analyse this defeat?

We started well and even had a good match, but when you leave having lost 3-0, it’s frustrating, although I do think the scoreline flatters Angers. On the whole, we controlled the game, but unfortunately, we were unable to be dangerous. We had the ball, but in the final 30 metres, we were incredibly average and we didn’t cause them any issues. From the moment that we started to overplay it in the middle, we began to lose the ball and that hurt us. When they opened the scoring, it was even more complicated for us to find the spaces and the goal that we conceded at the end of the first half hurt us in terms of morale. Angers are a difficult side to play against because they are very well organised. This evening, we suffered physically because up against us, they moved quickly. When we struggled to regroup defensively, it became complicated for us.

For what reasons in your opinion?

Because there were technical mistakes, but also because we lack options. When you start going from left to right and from right to left, over and over again without managing to find depth. We were struggling and putting ourselves in danger. Once again, there is a lot of frustration, but that’s the way it is. We need to continue to work to improve what didn’t go well, and to try to have other options and solutions for the next match.

This evening, your attacking trio was very young once again…

We are dealing with the resources that we have. It’s a very good experience for the youngsters, they need to make the most of it. We will continue to work with them, they are in a dream situation as there are some injuries and we don’t have any other options. It will be down to them to take this opportunity.

Do you think that there are too many expectations on OGC Nice this season?

No. The expectations are in line with what we have been able to do. Everyone was being very positive after Lyon, it’s football, that’s the way it is. The important thing for us at the club is to focus on our squad, on the way that we work to continue to improve. 

This evening, despite the defeat, the spirit was there. 

Exactly. I can’t criticise anything in terms of our commitment or spirit. Tactically, the players did what we decided to put in place. But then, we lacked that offensive quality for us to create really dangerous chances, we lacked the players to really make the difference in dangerous areas. Bassem? He hasn’t played for a while and he played the full 90 minutes, he worked for the team and put effort in defensively.

You had to do without Allan Saint-Maximin...

It was Allan who decided that he was ill. He made us aware of it this morning. It’s a shame that he didn’t travel, so that we could decide at the very last minute whether he could play or not. It was his decision, not the doctor’s or the coach’s. These are things that will be sorted out internally.

In your last two matches away from home, you have conceded 7 goals.

It’s a lot. It’s down to me, the coach, to try to find the solution so that we can be more rigorous in these times. It may mean to try to play a little less and to focus a bit more defensively.

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