MHSC – Lens: “When you lose against a stronger team, you have to know how to recognize it,” admitted Jean-Louis Gasset after the defeat against Lens

Jean-Louis Gasset expulsé avec son homologue lensois dès la 26e minute. MAXPPP – Alexandre Dimou

The Montpellier coach could only note the superiority of Lens against his team, Friday January 31st.

Is it a setback tonight ?

Of course. The result and the manner. We played against a team that was stronger than us. In all areas, physical, technical. And who also opened the score after 30 seconds of play. So there, it was a bit hard.

You changed at half-time, what did not work according to you to go back to 5 behind?

The two forwards were giving us too much trouble to play one on one. So I thought we could fight, win those first balls and get back in the middle. But they were too strong. When we pressed, the goalkeeper would clear the ball to the forward who would block the ball and allow their block to come out… We were overwhelmed. At halftime, I said, we’re 1-0, it’s miraculous. They had 3, 4, 5 chances to score. So we went down to 5 in the second half. It was a little better. But we never had the opportunity to come back. And them, every time they blocked us, it happened quickly. So they are stronger.

Did you feel helpless against Lens tonight??

In life, when you lose against someone stronger than you, you have to know how to recognize it. There are games where the scenario has been a bit for us. Tonight, after 30 seconds of play, goal. We take a little blow to the head. They are confident. And they continue until half-time.

You chose to start Andy Delort. What did you think of his match? ? What can he bring you? ?

I think he will quickly get back into the game. And sooner, he will be able to score a goal. If I had kept him on the bench to bring him on for 30 minutes, I would not have had the impression of working well. I said to myself, I'll see where he is.

Because he was playing, he wasn't playing, he was playing bits of matches. I saw him for 48 hours, so I didn't have time to do tests to know physically where he was. So I said to myself, let's start with an hour. And there will be 14 matches left for him to be as good as possible.

He played against a team like us, stronger. So he wasn't in the right condition. The attackers were rarely served in an ideal way. He headed, I think, on a set piece just wide or in the side netting. But it will come.

What happened on your sending off with Will Still ?

I think the referee was a little quick. Because everyone was a little angry. Me, because I saw the foul on Kouyaté. And Will Still, because he saw the goal. So he said, it’s 2-0. So when the referee approaches the little television on the sidelines, if the coaches approach, it’s not a good sign. Afterwards, I think it’s a little quick to say red and red. We shook hands in the second that followed. Each one defended his piece of fat. I said it was a foul and he said it was a goal. Which makes sense. But there, arriving, drawing like that, red and red, I found it a little easy.

Given the superiority of Lens that you spoke about, you don't see this defeat as a step backwards?

I always tell you the number of matches we need to win. When I imagine that we can play one-on-one against Lens, I give myself every chance of trying to take three points. And in each match, we try to use the right tactics to win the match. Even if sometimes, we are low and we counter. It's not pretentious. But I know that the point of the draw doesn't help us move forward. We've won two in a row, we've caught up. And we'll try next time. Because we need to win one match out of two. So, it's better to win one than to build up and draw two. So a victory by one point. And we need to win one out of two, at least six, and pick up a little something. So, I've set the cursor at that level. And we're going to play with our strengths and weaknesses.

There are three days left until the end of the Mercato. What do you want for these three days? ?

To have the best possible group and the best possible team. I've been telling you this for three months. There were no demands. I knew everything. And I said I'm coming. And so, on February 4, I'll see the squad I have. And from there, if we can manage the sporting and financial aspects at the same time, I would have done well to come.

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