Claude Puel : "This team has a soul!"

Did your team get the perfect shot?

The perfect shot yes, the second after our victory in the Derby! The scenario was amazing. I consider that our match against Lyon was more controlled in terms of cohesion and discipline. Today we experienced a full range of emotions. We had a very good start, we were well structured and got good counter balls back. Unfortunately, we lost many times the ball. In the second half, we lost track, we had difficulty moving and advancing our defense. Bordeaux thus showed itself to be dangerous and were able to play our game. We regained structure because we never truly gave up. We conceded plays because we foolishly gave away balls. We still have to progress since there is still much technical waste. In any case, the scenario and the victory allow us to work with serenity.

In what areas must your players progress?

In our construction phases, we gave them openings and they managed to take advantage of them. We still have to progress in regards of ball control, in our movements and dans l'aide au porteur. We are capable of making good sequences then, all of the sudden, to foolishly lose the ball. We must rectify that. This group has to rise, there’s still much work to be done, there will be some for a while. It’s always good to accompany this progression with results but we’re realistic.

Beyond the goal scored at the end of the match, what is the common point between this victory and the one against Lyon?

These is consistency in regards of effort and state of mind. Our first match was more solid. In the Derby, I never felt the team fall apart. Despite the fatigue, we kept our structure and played free and relaxed. Against Bordeaux, we fall apart several times, which means that we may have won due to luck. This group doesn’t give up, it has a soul. Today, the young players appeared and played a very solid match. 

Has Stéphane Ruffier totally recovered from the injury to his finger?

Stéphane trained well all this week, we checked that he had no after-effects after his fracture, that we did not take any risk. With his surgeon, the doctor (Tarak Bouzaabia) and Fabrice Grange, his coach, we decided to play him. He really wanted to play. So we gave him some balls to show off. The balls he had to use were really gifts.