Lyon-MHSC: “There was everything we needed”, “Fayad had tears in his eyes”, the reaction of Jean-Louis Gasset

“If we have the same state of mind and a bit of efficiency, we can dream”, wanted to be positive, the Hérault coach. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

The Montpellier coach was logically disappointed by the defeat conceded on Saturday, December 4 in Lyon at the end of a match in which MHSC did “what it had to do”.

If there was merit in football, you would have won ?

At least one point. We would have been disappointed, taking a point. You can imagine, returning to Montpellier with zero points after a match like that… We played the match we needed to.

We defended very well, we respected very well, the state of mind was impeccable. Which had not been the case in the Coupe de France. But efficiency is the key word in football. I have been in charge of Montpellier away for five matches, we still haven't scored a goal. Whereas, whether it's in Saint-Étienne, Lens or Lyon, against teams that are superior from the start, we look them in the eye, we put them in trouble, we put them out of position. But in the final move, we miss.

What did you say to Khalil Fayad who missed before scoring an own goal?

He had his head very low and tears in his eyes. I told him that it was called experience. That only those who didn't play couldn't miss goals like that. Next time, he'll put it in because he's a youngster with qualities. He let himself go a little, thinking that it was a done deal. Unfortunately, in this profession, as long as the ball hasn't hit the net, it doesn't count.

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Ligue 1: the standings and all the results from matchday 16

What qualities can you rely on for the future?

We had everything we needed. We defended very well, we were aggressive, we countered very well. Everything that went until the last 20 meters. After that, the last move was everyone's class. And above all, confidence. We have to keep going like that. Everyone tells us we're done for. OK, next week, we're hosting Angers. We have to beat everyone who plays in our league. If we have the same mindset and a bit of efficiency, we can dream.

You had positioned Téji Savanier almost as a left winger. Why this choice ?

Against a very strong team in the middle, we had to hold the ball when we had it. Arnaud Nordin was injured. We wouldn't have been able to play with two outside players. The fact that Téji plays on the left, he had to come inside to bring superiority, a technical note, his long-range shot. He respected it to the letter.

He had lost the armband. You had given it to Jordan Ferri. Why this choice ? Is it set to last ?

The president took sanctions the day before. We were aware but we didn't have much time to calculate. But given Jordan's week and the fact of playing in Lyon, I thought he was the one who was going to transmit the values ​​needed to play this match.

Afterwards, until the end of the transfer window, not knowing which players could leave us, we're going to give ourselves time to think. And when the transfer window is over and we are at full strength to finish the season, we will make a final decision.

What's the news on Maksimovic ?

From what the physio told me, it's important. He has a knee injury, behind the thigh.