Claude Puel spoke at a press conference following OGC Nice’s 2-1 defeat at Auxerre on matchday 33 of the Ligue 1 season.

What is your assessment of this match and the current league table situation, with just one match remaining, when you are now under immense pressure?

I think we got off to a good start. We were aggressive, we played the ball around, we exploited the spaces and we were rewarded for it. Instead of continuing to push forward and create chances, we fell into a false rhythm. We settled for short passes, focusing on defence and dropping back. We sat back a bit too much. We let the opposition regain confidence and push into our half far too easily. We tried to turn things around at half-time, to push forward and not be content with what we’d done for the first 20 minutes. But I think that overall, even though we had two chances to equalise from defensive errors, I’d say Auxerre deserved their win for their commitment and intensity. When we played well, we pushed that team back and looked promising, but they showed they were much more present than we were.

Do you feel that your players are playing a bit nervously?

I don’t think so, because we wouldn’t have got off to such a good start. But then again, perhaps it did make a difference when Auxerre were playing in our half, with crosses and long balls. We got ourselves into trouble because we gave up control of the game, we stopped playing, and from then on they gained the upper hand, and we found it very hard to turn things around. We went all out in the final minutes by bringing on attacking players. They were stronger in the tackles, in the intensity, in the commitment – things we weren’t able to match. And then, with their high press, they put us in difficult situations. We were under pressure and struggled to play the ball out cleanly. Our performance tonight wasn’t good enough.

Does Wahi’s missed chance in the 96th minute sum up the season, where things just aren’t going your way?

We had chances, mix-ups, chances cleared off the line – yes, we could have levelled the score. I believe that it’s through our play, what we bring to the game, our commitment, our intensity and the quality we must show on the pitch that will win us the next match.

You’re facing the bottom-of-the-table side who’ve already been relegated (Metz) next Sunday – is that a good thing or could it be a trap?

I’ve warned the players. Metz have nothing left to play for; they’ll simply be playing without pressure, with players keen to prove themselves, players who no longer feel the pressure to perform. Metz have quality, players who are quick, who exploit space, and who are strong in one-on-one situations. All the teams at the bottom of the table are still very capable. It won’t be easy against Metz; we’ll have to show a completely different side to our game.

Psychologically speaking, is it harder to be in a play-off situation, or do you simply have to win without worrying about the maths anymore?

Even in the final match of the season, a lot can still change.

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