Press conference
Farioli: "Three important points"
Francesco Farioli spoke at the press conference after Le Gym's 1-0 win over Metz at the Allianz Riviera.
Do you think your team had a good game, given the number of chances they created and the few chances they conceded?
The match wasn't just about the penalty. The team did a lot in terms of volume of play, attitude, concentration and organisation. In the pre-match press conference, we talked about the importance of attacking, but attacking with the head, with the brain, because in front of us there was a team that was very strong on the counter-attack, with individuals and physical strength, particularly in terms of its attacking players. We were a little too stuck in the first 25 minutes, the team wasn't fluid enough. Then, we managed to find a bit more confidence to find solutions at the end of the first half. At the end of the first half and throughout the second half... We justified our result with a lot of chances, dominance, possession and presence in our opponents' half. It's positive overall, we still have a lot of room for improvement, but these are three important points.
Khephren Thuram made his return to the starting line-up, he's an important player for the attack...
As we said in the pre-match press conference, Khephren Thuram's return is important. He's a player who brings a lot of quality to all phases of the game. When he gets going, he can turn the game on its head. He can do even more, and we have high expectations of him. In the second half of the season, it's going to be vital to find the best Khephren Thuram. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. He hasn't had the continuity he could have had to really express his technical and physical skills, which are above average. We have to help him express them 100%. We're very demanding with him, we ask a lot of him. But I'm sure he's a player who will help us raise the team's game.
Can we say that the old habits have been regained with the returning players?
Definitely, yes. It's clear that when you start moving so many pieces on the chessboard, as we have in recent weeks, it becomes difficult. You can pull it off in one or two games, but over time it becomes very difficult. It's clear that the return of Khephren Thuram, Hicham Boudaoui and Youssouf Ndayishimiye - who has returned to the position he's been playing in since the start of the season - has enabled us to rediscover a solid base, stability and our impact on the match. Now we're waiting for the remaining internationals to return. The players who were injured recently are back, I'm thinking of Sofiane Diop. It's good to have the whole team back, because we missed that over the last month and a half. It means we can have all the players training and maintain a high level of competitiveness.
What did you think of Evann Guessand's performance?
He was one of the men of the match. My appreciation for Evann is not new, we're not discovering it tonight. He's a very valuable player. If he manages to improve his finishing in front of goal, and I'm sure he will, he could be a very valuable striker who makes the team play well. He's a selfless, intelligent player with great technical ability combined with a really special physical quality. He's a player who will be crucial to our team between now and the end of the season, I'm sure he'll make a big difference.
What did you think of Mohamed-Ali Cho's first start at the Allianz Riviera?
He had a good game. He did some good things and progressed throughout the match. He was a bit stuck in the first half. He struggled to find the rhythm he needed in the first few minutes and then, when he was positioned on the right in the second half, he had some interesting one-on-one situations where he cut inside. We know this player's potential, we have to help him progress. His contribution tonight was more than positive, but it's only the beginning of his journey.