“We have to push our limits, I still want to do better“: Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec told AFP on Thursday 23 December of his ambition for the second half of the season for the reigning French champion, 8th after his success (3-2) in Bordeaux on Wednesday.
AFP: What conclusions do you draw from the first part of the Losc season?
Jocelyn Gourvennec: We were irregular in Ligue 1. Once we launched the Champions League, we were better in the league, but without having the results we could have hoped for compared to what we were doing in the field. We went from a rather laborious start to the championship to then doing the best at all levels, but without materializing, and then the fact of having leveled up in the Champions League, it made everyone aware that ‘we could do good things. This is what made us switch to the right side.
The first few weeks were difficult, however. How did you straighten the bar?
We did our round back when needed. We didn’t get angry, it didn’t go all over the place, we stayed focused. The group has always responded well, has always remained very hardworking and for me, the behavior of the players in training is always an indicator. The team has progressed well, gained in depth, mentally and in the game. There is still work to be done, as we saw yesterday (Wednesday). But we have the response, we are able to come back and what is interesting is that we managed to reverse the game because we were efficient.
Discover the words of Jocelyn Gourvennec after #FCGBLOSC ⤵ pic.twitter.com/dozE6OLBmu
– LOSC (@losclive) December 23, 2021
Where does your team need to improve?
We have to be much more demanding, much more consistent. The players have rediscovered the good feelings of last season when they were able, in the face of adversity, to bounce back. What we lacked in the first leg is efficiency because we created a lot of chances, a lot more than last year, but we did not achieve enough. It is by regulating that, by being more clinical, that we can give ourselves some air. We are positioned, we are on the lookout.
Do you fear a weakening of the team during the transfer window?
I let the president manage these matters. So far, I haven’t had a lot of time to manage anything other than the athlete, the management of the group. We will see what the transfer window gives. The president said the idea would be to keep a competitive team. That’s what he did when he arrived in the transfer window last year and that’s what he will do again.
“If Jonathan Ikoné leaves, he will be replaced. Given the deadlines we have, I don’t see how we can not replace him. We have so many important deadlines, posters that are going to be exciting, that we must remain competitive. “
Jocelyn Gourvennecto AFP
Personally, how do you judge your first six months in Lille?
Things fall into place. I knew it would be difficult to get behind Christophe (Galtier), to join a group that has been champion, to manage a locker room and to re-mobilize it after a champion title. Everyone had to find their feet and the players had to adapt to a different personality and discourse. I think I’ve been successful as my voice carries on and my personality is understood, accepted and appreciated by the locker room. Today, we are there and the results have shown it. Now we have to push our limits, I want to do even better in the second part of the season.
Interview by Nicolas BLASQUEZ