​Following Les Aiglons’ return to the training ground on Sunday, the Nice coach spoke at his final press conference of 2019.

Patrick, how were your players today after a week’s break?
I hope that they made the most of their holidays. It’s a period where the players spend time with their families and friends, it is important to relax a bit. We are back to work with five sessions in three days.

Some bad news as Malang Sarr, who was injured against Toulouse, adds to your injury list…
We will wait to see how his ankle reacts. We will take it day by day to get an idea of the time that he will be out for. But it’s at least three weeks. Another loss at the back… Christophe Hérelle should be back in around ten days, it will be too tight for the Coupe de France match, but we hope that he might be available for the first league match.

Riza Durmisi took part in the whole session. How did you rate him?
He already trained with us before the international break. He needs to work physically but he will be available for the first match against Fréjus. He is a player with experience. Tactically, he understands things quickly. The problem is a lack of rhythm, he needs to play. We will find a way to get him going as soon as possible because we will need him.

After the last match against Toulouse, you sent a clear message to certain players “that can be worried if they don’t change their attitude”…
It’s a message that I have maintained internally. The spirit of the side in that last match against Toulouse really pleased me, the players were committed. Some players like Boudaoui or Thuram for example haven’t played much in the first half of the season and their attitudes really pleased me. I want more players who give their all for the team, who don’t complain, who don’t ask questions. Some don’t do enough and as I said after the match, they can be worried if they don’t change their attitudes.

In a week’s time, you have your first competitive match, against Fréjus - Saint-Raphaël, a match that will now be played in Nice....It’s the Prefecture that took this decision. On a sporting level, it suits us of course, but we weren’t in control of the decision.

 

Return to training in video

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