OM-TFC (3-2): Coach's reaction
We imagine that you are satisfied with the result, although perhaps not entirely with the manner in which it was achieved.
I am satisfied when my team gives its all. We can win, lose or make mistakes, but the important thing is that the team gives its all. Tonight, I am satisfied because they gave their all. I saw great men, great players, as I have almost throughout the season. We have sometimes had black holes and it annoys me when that happens, but tonight, in the end, they played a great game. It was difficult against a Toulouse team that had nothing to lose or gain. It was a big game and a great win.
A word about Mason Greenwood's performance...
Mason is a natural talent, the credit goes to his parents. I'm here to help him become a more complete player. When he needs to be pushed or hugged with words of support to make him do even more, I do it. That's my job. I would like him to be remembered by the fans as one of OM's best players. There have been many talented players, but he has the qualities to become one of the best. It's my job to make sure he improves.
Adrien Rabiot also had a very good game...
He has all the qualities, but the most beautiful is his heart. He puts his whole soul and heart into the pitch. He also has technical and physical qualities, but that is the most important one. He has it, as do other players in the team: Balerdi, Rulli, Rongier, Murillo, Kondogbia, Højbjerg, Maupay, Bennacer... There are plenty of them, but I wish there were more.
The team suffered defensively, conceding two goals...
Yes, but what can we do about it? On a counter-attack, when the ball reaches the attacker, it means a mistake has already been made. We need more confident passing, quicker reactions to lost balls, and fouls sometimes on the opponent to stop the action. Balerdi has a speed that the others don't necessarily have. We are second in the standings with 52 points. There are things we could have done better but good things have been done.
Why did you give the captain's armband to Geoffrey Kondogbia?
It's the hierarchy, Balerdi is first, Højberg is second, Kondogbia is third and the fourth is Rongier.
Many players slipped during the match...
Yes, Murillo too in the first half. They're pros, they know which studs to use and so seeing them slip, it annoys me, yes.
I was asked why I hadn't walked around the pitch at the end of the match. I didn't because I was tired, it had been a difficult and heavy week, especially for me. Besides, I think it's the players' turn to be in the spotlight tonight. I prefer to walk around the pitch and see the fans when we lose because it's important to be there for each other in difficult times. It would be too easy to do it after victories. Tonight, the twelfth man pushed the team from start to finish, even during the warm-up, so I think it was right to thank them here at the press conference.
Will Amine Gouiri be present against Monaco?
I believe so. Gouiri, Højbjerg and Balerdi were missing. But we had the return of Moumbagna, which is very positive from a footballing and human point of view. He is a centre forward with unique characteristics. Amine Harit is good too. He can become important, as can Rowe when he comes on. He had a good game, he is one of the players with enormous potential, and Maupay, I would really like to have him in my teams all the time because he is someone special.
Is it serious for Amine Gouiri?
No, he played a lot... Against Paris, two games for the national team and Reims... I was told about a week or 10 days so he should be back from Tuesday, I hope he will be available for Monaco.
The spirit was there, especially from the substitutes who all contributed...
That was my intention for the week. I have a simple life, football and not much else. My goal is to succeed, no matter how, in a legitimate way and without doing anything excessive. The players have to give 100%, that's all that matters.
