Maurice Cohen, Vice-President of OGC Nice, spoke to the media shortly after the victory in Strasbourg (2–0), which sends Le Gym through to the Coupe de France final.

What is your reaction?

First of all, it’s a great pleasure. We played a very good match. The team lived up to expectations. For some time now, the coach has been telling us that the players are training well and are serious. I think today they showed it and with style. It’s good for morale. We’ll look forward to the 22 May. We are happy to be in the final. Jean-Pierre and I have lost two finals before. This year, we’ll go there to try to win it. Not try, we will win it. Now we’re thinking about the league.

Two weeks ago, you said here after a defeat that heads needed to be put back in the right place…

There was a collective awareness from everyone, the players and the club. They understood that at some point, things had to be set right again. That was done through a lot of discussions. The coach has a very positive role in that area. He managed to remotivate them through individual talks and small group discussions. I think this victory is good for the whole team, but today it is above all a win for Claude Puel.

A word for the supporters?

It feels good, we are happy for the fans. They are always by our side. They travel by bus, they are always there. They bring life to the club and are an integral part of it. It’s important. It’s a whole structure, a club. Directors, players, supporters. I know the supporters well. We’ve worked a lot with them in the past and again this year, because when we arrived, the situation was a bit difficult, with some tension between fans and club, and fans and players. We worked a lot to restore harmony. That’s what we are achieving. This final is also dedicated to our supporters, who are always behind us.

Aren't Le Gym better in adversity?

We have been through many negative events. Today, it is finding a certain stability again. There has been a lot of work done. You have to work hard for it to pay off. Things are now getting back in order. Now we are thinking about the league. We forget the cup. It’s Marseille on Sunday, then Lens the week after. We’ve already had Lille, now Marseille and Lens: the top trio.

Do you think it will be easy for the players to “switch off” and forget this semi-final to focus on the league?

They won’t have a choice. They have to refocus. From tomorrow, they will be back in training. We are in a difficult situation. If we approach matches like we did tonight, I think we will have a much easier time winning games.

Is Elye Wahi one of the successful signings?

Yes. Elye was our winter signing. When we recruited in January, the idea was to bring in players who were stronger than those we had and who could add something extra. That’s why we didn’t bring in many others. Elye brought exactly what we wanted. It’s a shame he was injured in Lyon. We lost him for a month and a half. I think if he had been available, we could have won certain matches.

And you are, almost without realising it, one match away from Europe…

We’re not thinking about that. Our only focus today is Sunday’s match against Marseille.

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