Selected excerpts of what Claude Puel had to say before the the trip to Angers on Saturday (7pm CET)

WHAT CAN YOU TAKE FROM THE LOSS TO RENNES? 

“I had always found something positive in the previous matches. Not in this one. Far too many things were missing – individually and collectively – to face a team that was full of confidence and showed it against us. We acted like good ‘sparring partners’ so they could express themselves. So there isn’t much to take from this match – actually nothing positive at all – except that we must do the exact opposite in every respect. We have to wipe it out, forget about it. And we have to stand up and be counted!”

GOING FROM RENNES TO ANGERS

“It’s up to us to be ambitious and combative – for the supporters, for those who follow us and want to see a team that works hard, that puts in effort, that is unselfish, that wins the ball back, that takes control of its game. We have shown so many good things in those areas (over the past two-and-a-half months) that when you look at our last match, none of that was there. It’s up to us to do what’s necessary so that it remains just an accident. We must have the character required to show something different and get back to basics.”

ARE NICE LESS WELL-EQUIPPED TO FIGHT RELEGATION THAN THE OTHER TEAMS?

“No, I don’t think so. I believe that for some time now we’ve been engaged in this battle. If some people are still speculating and thinking, ‘We’re supposed to be up near the top but here we are down here,’ they’re completely mistaken. Matches have to be won; points have to be earned. It takes so much…When I look at all the teams, even those at the bottom of the table, they’re getting results or they’re capable of giving any opponent in the top half a game – and even higher. That means it’s extremely tough. In this final stretch, all the teams are baring their teeth. They’re there fighting to defend their standing, and that’s normal. We can’t let that happen without responding. It’s out of the question. We are at least at the same level as all the other teams – if not higher – in terms of determination, concentration, and performance.”

 

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