OM coach André Villas-Boas hailed his players' performance to beat Lyon 2-1 despite being a man down in Sunday's Olympico; disappointed opposite number Rudi Garcia said his side will take the loss as a learning experience.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Olympique de Marseille 2-1 Olympique Lyonnais
André Villas-Boas (Olympique de Marseille coach): "It's a shame that we still have to suffer. We had the match under control at the end of the first half and I thought we were going to score a third goal and breathe easy. But it was a great win nonetheless; we played well even with just ten of us out there [after the expulsion of Alvaro Gonzalez, 64th]. I liked the effort and the atmosphere. We showed that we are able to beat a direct competitor and play football well. I hope it continues."
Rudi Garcia (Olympique Lyonnais coach): "I think they were better than us in drive and fighting spirit. That's why we lost this game even though we started out pretty well. Then there was this episode of the penalty that put us behind. In the second half, we were much better for fifteen minutes and we reduced the deficit. But what disappoints me the most is that we didn't make the most of being a man up. But we're a young team that also has to learn from this kind of game and situation."
Stade Rennais FC 3-1 Amiens SC
Julien Stéphan (Rennes coach): "We had a difficult start and lacked energy. It felt like they were on top. The equaliser did us good, though. We had a really good second half. [Serhou] Guirassy caused us problems early on. He was difficult to handle. We were head and shoulders above them in the second half and deserved to win. Losing in the Europea League [Rennes lost 1-0 to CFR Cluj on Thursday] was a big disappointment. It left us tired, too, but we're delighted and now we can recalibrate."
Luka Elsner (Amiens coach): "It's a sore loss because we did a lot of things right. In the first have we barely let them play. We lost our way in the last hour, though. We allowed them to express themselves and they have a lot of individual talent. It's a bad end to a good run of results. We'll try and get back to winning ways against Strasbourg [after the international break]."
Montpellier Hérault SC 3-0 Toulouse FC
Michel Der Zakarian (Montpellier coach): "We scored three nice goals and played well as a team. Toulouse are very athletic and well drilled ad we had to play well. We did well in our one-on-ones and used the ball well. I'm very happy with both goalscorers. We knew that Gaëtan [Laborde] would score eventually. Our forwards are fighters and never give anything up. Téji Savanier is glad to be back in the team. His goal will restore his confidence. We expect him to get back to a very high level."
Antoine Kombouaré (Toulouse coach): "It was a pretty forgettable performance. The score was harsh but I don't like how we played. I didn't recognise my team. We're able to do a lot better. It's not a tactical problem, just a question of defending well enough. We were second-best in our challenges bit I don't think Montpellier played that well. They were just very direct. They had three shots and scored all three."
FC Nantes 2-3 AS Saint-Etienne
Christian Gourcuff, (Nantes coach): "It was a difficult match. We did everything backwards, with constant reorganising and a lack of aggression. The opening goal should have been enough for us but weren't committed enough. We were nervous even though we scored twice. The balance has been delicate for some time. It's up to the group to respond now. It's a shame to lose before the international break. We'll have a lot of players away, which bothers me."
Claude Puel (Saint-Etienne coach): "I'm satisfied, especially after a very complicated week. We got back [from Oleksandria in Ukarine] at 6am on Friday and played two-and-a-half days later. I liked the team spirit, though. We rotated the team and nobody minded. The players today understood what I wanted them to do, even if some of them don't play that often. It's good to see the group progressing. The league table looks good but we're staying calm about that."
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Stade Brestois 29 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Olivier Dall'Oglio (Brest coach): "It was a shame to lose but there were some positives. They followed instructions, were brave and disciplined, so I'm quite satisfied. We weren't strong enough in our challenges and we were a bit naïve in possession. We had to take our chances, especially after conceding twice. We're disappointed with the result but not with how we played. We know what PSG are capable of. We know they have talent. You always learn something when you play PSG."
Thomas Tuchel (PSG coach): "I liked this win because it was difficult, like a cup match. We changed a lot of players and some were low on confidence, but we had to stay calm. It wasn't easy for us in the first half with the wind against us. We were loose in possession and made mistakes. We reacted well to their goal a kept playing. We can't score four goals in every game. I'm happy, it's five wins out of six. It's not easy for Edi [Cavani] because he lacks a bit of rhythm. He's competing with [Mauro] Icardi who's full of confidence. That's how it is right now and attackers can have periods like this."
LOSC 0-0 FC Metz
Christophe Galtier (LOSC coach): "We're not happy. It's two points dropped at home. We were rarely in danger. We knew we'd come up against a team who'd sit deep but we created a lot of chances, which were wasted. I can't criticise the players for their effort but we never looked like scoring. I think we could have been higher in the table by this point of the season. Our home record isn't the problem, though."
Vincent Hognon (Metz coach): "We earned a good result. We played a good match, especially given the circumstances [Kevin N'Doram and Manuel Cabit are still in hospital after a car crash]. We played well in the first half although we lacked a cutting edge. The players wanted to do more for Manu. What we saw today was a group digging deep to bring a point home."
AS Monaco 1-0 Dijon FCO
Leonardo Jardim (Monaco coach): We were well organised but often missed the final touch. We could've won 3- or 4-0. We have to be more effective. [Aleksandr] Golovin is progressing tactically but he could've had two assists. We have to work on things in every area, though. Our goal is to be at the top of the table. We've given others a big headstart, which we're now recovering from. Our squad isn't the same as last year but I'm sure that with some work they'll be competing at the top of the table. We're not alone, though. Lille, Lyon Marseille and others have the same goals."
Stéphane Jobard (Dijon coach): "We have nine players who have been called up for international duty. We just have to hope that they don't get hurt. A couple of call-ups have bothered me. If we weren't playing some players it's for a reason. To call them up is very demanding."
Stade de Reims 0-0 Angers SCO
David Guion (Reims coach): "We didn't create any chances and that's frustrating. The players didn't fight hard enough so I asked them to be more aggressive in the second half. Unfortunately, we still didn't create any chances and this is a concern. On the flip side, we also didn't concede many chances either. We should've been able to do more. Angers defended well, we knew they would. This was a game of chess."
Stéphane Moulin (Angers coach): "We were serious and committed, exactly as we wanted to be. We came here to win but I told my players it'd be 50/50. We had chances in both halves but [Angelo Fulgini's] red card changed the game. The players had extra energy after that point, which I liked a lot. In the end, our goalkeeper didn't have a save to make. To be provisionally second was not our goal but I think the players like it and don't want to let go."
RC Strasbourg Alsace 4-1 Nîmes Olympique
Thierry Laurey (Strasbourg coach): "We had a very good match and were better physically. Apart from hitting the post, Nîmes never looked dangerous. We're were 2-0 up at half-time and it could've been more. It was a performance that should satisfy the fans. Lebo Mothiba scored twice and Ludo [Ajorque] had two assists. It was good to see how they combined. We have to build upon scoring four goals at home. I think we can do some good things this season. There's no reason we can't play this way on the road."
Bernard Blaquart (Nîmes coach): "Of course, it's impossible to be satisfied when you lose 4-1. We were poor tonight. I'm not angry with my players, that achieves nothing. They're very disappointed and they know what happened. We were beaten due to their commitment and physicality. They have two very powerful attackers. I'm not more or less worried than at the start of the season. We know our shortcomings and must work on them."
Friday, November 8, 2019
OGC Nice 1-1 Girondins de Bordeaux
Patrick Vieira (Nice coach): "It's regretful to have conceded this penalty [Jimmy Briand's equaliser] in the second half. It hurt us, mentally. It was a small mistake by Stanley Nsoki but he still played well. We struggled to keep possession but we ran hard. We were never in danger apart from the penalty. Bordeaux were only better than us in terms of possession. Yes, we played on the counter, but we have to consider our opponents' quality. We're getting better and it's encouraging. We already looked better against Reims [a 2-0 win last Sunday]. We must keep progressing. I was very happy with the players' state of mind, and also that the fans pushed us until the final minutes."
Paulo Sousa (Bordeaux coach): "We had to win this game. We were better than Nice for the whole game, even if we were sometimes open to the counter-attack. Compared to our last match against Nantes [also a 2-0 last Sunday] we were less efficient because we had more chances here. I'm satisfied with my players. They stuck to the gameplan. I like Nice a lot. Patrick [Vieira] has his team playing good stuff. I like that. Coming here and dominating is very satisfying. Top reach the top of the table we need three or four goalscorers. We'll work on instilling more confidence in the players this week."
