Pierre Sage before OL-Lille in the cup: “Our desire, above all, is to stay in Ligue 1”

Space awarded to the Coupe de France

“The Coupe de France is an important competition that allows us to play extra matches. We understand that the sequence of matches is positive, especially when we can build a base from previous matches like Rennes and Marseille.

We are currently playing at two tables, it is still early in the season. Indeed, the Coupe de France could be very important for a possible qualification for the European Cup, but I admit that our desire, above all, is to stay in Ligue 1.

The joy in the locker room was measured after the victory against Marseille (1-0). The players were happy to win, but I thought they quickly turned to the Coupe de France. It was certainly linked to fatigue, following the effort against Marseille, but also because the energy now had to be focused on the Lille match.

Possibility of moving

We don’t overlook anything. We will ensure to field the most competitive team on match day to qualify.

We play on Sunday, we play again on Wednesday and then we play again on Sunday. We have to manage the group during this period. So if we want to play with intensity, we have to have players who have the energy and resources to endure, given the playing time ahead of them.

Sunday’s match took away the energy and the win gave it back. Mental energy is always recovered faster with a win. Despite everything, the players ran a lot against Marseille. We have to field fresh players, so we have to recover well. We will see how I feel during training.

A match against the green

Lily was the match before I took over temporary duties. I was in the stadium and I saw a very good team. It’s a team that has ideas, that plays a game that’s fun to watch.

I really don’t want to see this again, I want to finish this game. I want to bring back elements of our first half against Marseille. But our new challenge will be to do it during the match period. »