“What do you remember from this performance?
Winning a Trophy, even if it’s friendly, is always a good thing. But you have to put that in the context of preparation, which is not even halfway there. I was happy because we were able to mix young people, experienced boys, and the two teams held up. We have kept these values which are ours of racing, abnegation and good protection of the surface. We have seen an evolution compared to last year, it is our ability to counter-attack and finish. It bodes well.
This ability to evolve in transition…
(He cuts.) We will have to develop it, be effective on these phases because they will be essential to our survival in Ligue 1. We have recruited players capable of producing interesting things on these phases, who have this motor skills . But it all starts with good organization and a defensive phase, we were able to take advantage of the lanes of play offered by our opponent. I’m glad it happened that way.
“What he lacked was a bit of control”
Luka Elsner, Le Havre coach
In which areas does the team need to improve?
In the control of the ball, we have, on some phases, left long phases of possession to the opponent and we suffered. Afterwards, we still have to adapt. In the first period, we played in a new system, we have to find benchmarks. We have to look for that flexibility. In understanding the system, in our ability to maintain the intensity over 90 minutes, but that will come as the weeks go by. But what he lacked was a bit of control. When Caen put a little higher tempo, we had a hard time responding, we started to panic a little bit, but it’s also the springs of youth. But we conceded a goal which, for me, should not exist. There is an improper fault.
You started in 3-5-2, went to 4-4-2, where are you in your thinking?
We continue our experimental laboratory, to see what the boys are comfortable in. It’s not easy for them because we are looking for several solutions, we ask for flexibility, to adapt a lot. In the occupation of space, the principles of play with ball, we stay with similar. So the step is not so huge but it will be necessary for us to have this capacity to adapt. The more systems we have mastered, the better we can respond to match demands. We can’t stand still and sit on what we did last year, that won’t be enough. We will pass this exam together with the players. Today, we are almost in the transition times, but we know that the only truth that matters will be Sunday 13, when the Championship will start (in Montpellier).
“In my mind, three (rookies) have yet to arrive”
Luka Elsner, Le Havre coach
How many recruits are you still expecting?
It will depend on the opportunities, but in my mind there are still three to come: in the attacking position, of course, perhaps a midfielder capable of playing very low just in front of the defense, and seeing what we can do on the eccentric positions.
Friday, will you be in the same logic in terms of team?
We will probably cross a course on the playing time of certain players, we will be less on a mixture of equivalent teams, we will tighten the filter.
Will Daler Kouziaev and Rassoul Ndiaye be there?
We will reassess the state of fatigue, it is possible that they will have a little playing time, which will not go beyond half an hour of play. But to say that they will be there, it is impossible to say today. The first two sessions hit hard enough for both. We are there to prepare the players, whether it’s PSG or another team, it doesn’t matter.
Friday, precisely, the level of adversity will increase, what do you think?
It will be exceptional. There will be lots of interesting things for us, the result will be secondary and the important thing will be the content. »
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