How do you analyse this match? 

At the start of the match, Lyon began with lots of rhythm. Rhythm that we struggled to deal with, you have to say it. We scored on the counter and then we did better until half-time. In the second half, as soon as the rhythm picked up, we let them in a bit too easily. We kept going, all the way to the end, but it’s not enough.

Are you disappointed by your side’s performance?

No. We have never given up this season, we don’t forget that we are paying for our bad start with 10 points in 11 games. We then turned it around, but despite that, despite the wins, we have still been quite laborious, you have to recognise that. We struggled when the rhythm of the game was raised.

What do you take away from this season? 

It was a difficult season. We worked on the same thing as last season. We haven’t worked less, or worked less well. We have had highs and lows. Thankfully, we were able to get going at one point and showed real solidarity. That allowed us to get back into the league and to hope, all the way until the final game, that we would qualify for Europe despite the inconsistent season we have had. We didn’t get there, it’s unfortunately not the case but that’s the way things go.

What can you say about your future?

I will be leaving OGC Nice and the French league. I can’t say any more than that for the moment. Ligue 1? In this league, there are ambitious sides like Lyon and Marseille, Paris and Monaco who are up there, historic clubs like Saint-Etienne or Bordeaux who aspire to play in Europe too. Regrets that I am leaving? It’s part of football, it’s a choice, but on human level, it’s tough.

You have contributed to putting Balotelli back on the scene, you must be proud?

It’s to Nice that he owes something. The club took him on and he has got back into form. He came back from a long way. He owes the club and his teammates, to the staff and everybody who lives with OGC Nice. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s very good what he has done.

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