Ghislain Printant : "A good match"

What is your judgement of your team’s performance?

Saint-Étienne played a good match and responded to the expectations of a European Cup match. We were mentally present in this combat. Until the 95th minute, we put everything in place to go look for victory. If there is a tie at the end of the match, it’s because Wolfsburg had a very effective defensive line. The team pleased me and truly had the mindset and the driving force that the staff wanted them to have to face such a great adversary.

What did ASSE lack in order to have won?

We were a bit timid in the first half. After the break, we made things difficult for them. But this team knew how to resist. In the last quarter hour, we pushed more and were much stronger offensively. The defensive quality of the adversary made it so we could not earn the three points. If there’s regret, it’s the goal let in two minutes after ours. It’s regrettable, but that’s part of Football. That’s the only reproach I have for my team.

What is your analysis of William Saliba’s performance, who was a starting player this Thursday evening for the first time since this August 3rd in Newcastle?

He was mentally present and even finished as a right-back. That’s the proof that he knew how to adapt to the match. But, we can’t ask too much of him because it was a match for him to get back into the swing of things. He was helped by the collective performance of the team. We’ll see how William recuperates because Sunday will come quickly. I think that we’ll need fresh blood because the players gave it their all. I’m counting on the players on the bench to take over Sunday and deliver the same type of performance.

In what state of mind are you going to tackle the Derby?

We know the expectation of our fans. Even if our legs hurt, we have to quickly get over this tiredness. The eleven players who will start will have to perform well and the three players that will be called in will have to give the necessary helping hand to obtain the result the Green Nation is expecting. We lack points. Everything is tight. It can quickly go one way or the other. Let’s focus on recuperating and after we’ll enter the Derby.