Claude Puel : "Disappointed and frustrated"

What is your analysis of this defeat, the first since your arrival?

I do not concern myself with streaks. It’s a shame to have let the point from the tie game slip through our clutches in the last few seconds. It was not a flamboyant match, but the players fought. They used every last ounce of their strength. In regards of desire to win, we were mentally present. Given the great amount of our energy expended, we deserved to have shared the points. In the game, there are too many estimations and there isn’t enough control. What we can reproach ourselves for is having let in two avoidable goals because of tactical mistakes. Of course, we at times regained possession of the ball, but then we had difficulty exploiting the ball offensively.

To what do you attribute these errors?

We were very, very tired when we finished the match. By playing every three days and with all of our injuries, we’re wearing ourselves thin. The fatigue explains why we lacked precision at the end of the match. Unfortunately, we’re missing players at key positions and the ones that are available are very much sought after, by the championship, the Europa League and also by their national teams. The important number of injured players prevents us from doing a good rotation, especially on an offensive level.

Why did Loïc Perrin leave at half time?

He complained of knee pain. His substitution at the break deprived us of a substitution over the course of the second period. In regards of Denis Bouanga, who also yielded his position in the middle of the second period, he’s playing multiple matches in a row. I asked myself if he should have been kept in reserve during this match.

Give the great amount of energy they expended, you cannot blame your players.

I am disappointed and frustrated for the whole team who put in a lot of effort during the last two matches. The great difference, is that Rennes was able to do rotations in the UEFA Europa League. I ask a lot of my players physically. We played with a heterogeneous team in regards of physical form.