Laszlo Bölöni, FC Metz manager: “We got off to a good start, it’s always nice when we do. We should have done a little more, but overall we managed the counter-attacks and throw-ins well. I didn’t feel any difficulty in the game in the first half, even if their organization was strengthened. In the second half it is always a problem when managing: the opponent has nothing to lose and therefore risks more. We were unable to take advantage of it. And there were six or eight minutes where there was really pressure in our sixteen meters. There it was difficult, we couldn’t get the ball out. Fortunately we were able to counter. The absence of Kouyaté? It is a player’s decision. It’s a very important piece for us, but given his psychological state he didn’t dare take the risk of playing. But I am convinced that he is a boy who listens, whom we love and that we will find the best path for him because he deserves it. That said, there are things to respect. The most important thing is the collective. “
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Nicolas Rabuel, coach of Valenciennes: “We knew the opponent was qualitative. But in a game, you have to play two halves, not one. It is insufficient. We made adjustments on the counterattack, we risked a little more, we used the ball better. Well, it depends on us. We must rely on this second period to build the future. Outside, we know we have to resist the restart. We concede goals after 14 minutes, but we must not stop. The reaction, we must have it immediately behind. “
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