Claude Puel spoke at the post-match press conference after OGC Nice’s draw against FC Metz at the Allianz Riviera on the 34th and final Ligue 1 matchday of the season (0–0).

What is your reaction after OGC Nice ended up in the relegation play-off spot tonight?

It’s very tough. The dressing room is deeply affected, and that’s normal. Now, I don’t think we should dwell too much on this match, because even a win would not have been enough to secure survival. Congratulations, as I said in the pre-match press conference,  to Le Havre and Auxerre for winning away from home and securing their place in the league. As for us, our season continues, and we need to be ready immediately and move on. We have three huge fixtures ahead, and we’re going to give everything in them.

Does this Coupe de France final (on May 22 against Lens, editor’s note) arrive a bit out of nowhere?

Yes, but it’s there. We won’t be the favourites, I think you’ll agree. We’ll have everything to fight for, and a good result in the cup could also help us approach the next two fixtures in the best possible way. We’re going to play everything to the fullest. The group has to stay ready to meet these three challenges. We need to quickly get ourselves back in working order, starting with the return to training next week, and prepare for this final first. Then, even though things will come very quickly with the run of matches, we’ll have time to properly prepare for the two fixtures against Saint-Étienne.

Do you feel your squad is mentally ready and not too worn down by the season to go again and fight for survival?

We need a lot of resilience once again. This is a defining end to the season for every team, and it is for us as well. It’s in situations like these that true character and true personalities reveal themselves, with the desire to turn things around and be present for these three fixtures. My staff and I will be there, fully present, to rally everyone and find all the energy needed to first fulfill the task against this very good Lens side, and then against Saint-Étienne. We’ll obviously be playing for our survival, and we’ll bring the ingredients required. We have to prepare now to extend the season and face what’s coming.

What do you think about the supporters’ frustration?

The disappointment is legitimate, of course, but we need our supporters. The Coupe de France is one thing, but especially the matches against Saint-Étienne, and the return leg here. We will fight for survival all together. It’s not the time for anyone to give up anything, whether it’s us first and foremost, or our supporters as well, because what’s coming is extremely important.

Can we say tonight’s match reflected the season overall, especially with the wastefulness in attack?

If I go back to the match itself, I found us very fragile in the first half, very hesitant on the ball, with a lot of technical mistakes. I think we had a much better second half, with much higher quality. We lacked very little to open the scoring and get the win. But as I said, it wouldn’t have been enough anyway, so we’re not going to dwell too much on this game, since victory would not have been enough. Once again, let’s put things into perspective, regroup ourselves, and get ready for the upcoming challenges. It’s very difficult for my staff and the players, but I want us to quickly focus on what lies ahead. The season is a little longer, but the ending could still be magnificent. We have to stay fully engaged and very quickly remobilise everyone

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