Didier Deschamps is a happy man. OM finally put an end to a 13-game winless run, defeating Nancy by the smallest of margins at the Stade Velodrome.
What is your analysis of this win?
We were getting to the point where we couldn't remember what it was like to win. It really wasn't easy because we only had that one goal to defend. We were never safe from a Nancy side that are very good from set pieces with five or six players over 1m90 tall. We should have headed to half time with a bigger lead. The first 30 minutes of the second half were pretty tough. Nancy pushed harder and we made more mistakes and lacked options up front. But we were better in the last 15 minutes. Given the current situation, were just happy to have ended this terrible run which was just impossible for everyone at the club. We are just going to enjoy it.
It really wasn't easy this rough patch…
We had to always look at the positive side of things and keep looking ahead. The hardest thing was to try and create confidence and play without fear. If it reached this point it's because the players and myself, first and foremost, are the ones responsible. When it comes to playing football, confidence is crucial to playing with skill and technique. Because of what we've been through in recent weeks, every time the ball got near our goal, the pressure was frightening. Jordan's introduction off the bench was a big boost and helped us hold up the ball up front.
There were a few hostile banners in the crowd directed at you...
That's never nice. It only concerns thirty-odd people. They are free to express themselves. Adding my two cents worth won't serve any purpose.
OM still looked very fragile, especially defending set pieces. Mandanda made a few important saves...
Nancy are good from set pieces and have a bit of tall timber out there up front. It's hard to fight against the centimetres. We are a much shorter team. Once again Steve Mandanda was decisive. He's an international goalkeeper.
What will this win mean for the players?
A little more calm. Even though we don't have a specific objective, it is absolutely out of the question that we just take the foot off for the final three matches. We are going to give everything in these final three matches. You have to respect the football, because when you don't, it normally makes you pay. Our next game will be in a hostile stadium, a traditional rivalry against Saint-Etienne and we need to win as many points as possible.
