Here is Claude Puel’s reaction after Nice’s defeat away at Strasbourg on Saturday on Matchday 28 of Ligue 1 (3–1).

Coach, the first half is all the more disastrous given that your team had the first chances to open the scoring…

That’s a fair summary. I’d say we had 15–20 promising minutes, with good positioning and quality. We created chances where we needed to be more ruthless to convert. Then we conceded a first goal, almost like a looping ball, that we handled poorly. After that, we had no response, whether mentally, tactically, or physically. They outplayed us in duels, in their expression, and especially in intensity. These are things we must not accept. It will of course be important to lay everything out clearly and properly prepare for the last six matches, showing a completely different side of our personality, with much more character in moments like this.

Do you think your team played and defended like one fighting to stay up?

There have been quite a few matches where I found us interesting, but this one… we cannot accept this kind of showing. It’s almost incomprehensible to deliver a performance like that, especially in physical aspects, effort and recovery. These are things we cannot accept. They seemed far superior to us, not just technically but physically as well. We must not accept it. We are all responsible, we share the same dressing room. I, first and foremost, must find the right arguments to get them mobilised and expressing their qualities, not just technical ones, but above all their character and commitment to defend the club and please our supporters, who once again traveled in large numbers. We are very disappointed for them, we owe them much better.

You started without Dante and with a back four. What was your thinking behind that system?

Most of our defenders were away (during the break) on international duty, and we had shown interesting things in training with a back four. When we play with a back three that quickly turns into a back five, we lose a player in midfield or attack, especially against a team capable of crowding that area. After that, we can always rethink lineups or systems, but I think the issue goes beyond that.

Did you notice shortcomings in attitude, especially on Strasbourg’s goals?

It’s been a difficult situation for a while, hard for some players to deal with. When you have the potential to aim higher and find yourself in this position, that’s competition, whatever your place in the league table. We must all hold ourselves accountable for a performance that was completely insufficient and build a stronger mentality, show much more toughness and take greater responsibility toward everyone involved. We must show the kind of face that suits these circumstances. There are six matches left to fight, regardless of the opponent or what happens during a game. Anything can happen in a match. We’ve suffered from that, and precisely, the instruction is not to suffer.

After that, it’s my responsibility, along with my staff, to stand by my players because we are all responsible and I am the first, if there are failings, and they were glaring today. I take responsibility in the sense that it’s up to me to rally the team and ensure we have players who don’t just endure but show the character needed for the upcoming matches, starting with Sunday against Le Havre.

You say the situation is hard for some players to deal with despite their potential. Why?

Some players show things, but potential must translate into effectiveness. There are many players still developing, with interesting basic qualities but who still need to improve a lot. If the team is in this situation, it’s because there have been many shortcomings throughout the season. It’s up to us, in these final matches, to at least show a fighting spirit, even if everything isn’t perfect, and to meet what’s expected of us in this kind of situation. But it’s true that for everyone, it’s difficult to come and face you (the journalists) after such a performance. These aren’t just things that hurt, they are things we must not accept among ourselves. And we are all responsible, myself first.

Can you take any lessons from this match ahead of the Coupe de France semi-final?

No, it will be a completely different match, and there’s nothing to take from today’s game except that we were not up to the level and that we must not accept this kind of performance. It’s not possible. We are focused on what lies ahead in the league, which is tough, but that’s competition. We must be present. united, together. That it hurts is one thing, but we all need the desire to turn things around and show a completely different face. The result will be what it will be, but in terms of performance and what’s expected of us, we must be beyond reproach, and tonight, we were not.