More than the victory, Patrick Vieira was satisfied by his side’s spirit, three days after a disappointing performance against Montpellier.

Patrick, you bounced back quickly after your disappointing game against Montpellier.

It’s the reaction I was hoping for. We played with lots of agression, lots of desire. We gave ourselves the chance to succeed in this match and to win it.

You made some strong decisions before this match...

Quite simply because guys like JV (Jean-Victor Makengo) have worked very well in the past couple of weeks. They were waiting for this moment, to get onto the pitch and to show what they are capable of. Jean-Victor was extraordinary, he had a very good match. To kick on, we need everybody. I feel that collectively, we had a very good game.

But you still lacked that ability to kill the game…

Yes, it’s true but for me, the important thing is to create chances. Our game plan was very interesting, we looked to hassle them high up the pitch and we stopped them from playing. We also created some nice chances. These chances, we are going to stick them away. We need to improve but as I always say, if the spirit is there, then I know that we will improve.

What was the game plan?

To stop Nantes from playing out from the back, to find players between the lines. They are a side that can cause you problems if you let them have the ball. Today, Myziane, Allan and JV worked well up-front without the ball. They caused problems for the Nantais when they were trying to build at the back.

Do you get the feeling that you have begun to find the right formula?

We said the same thing after the match against Rennes. At Montpellier we had a bad showing, this evening, it was better. That shows that we need to work in order to be more consistent. It’s in that consistency, game after game, that we need to improve.

It’s the result that you needed to get going again?

The way we did it was important. Then, chances… you score them, or you don’t, that’s football. But what I really liked in the team was the spirit, we respected what we put in place.  I am more pleased by that spirit than I am by the three points.

A victory achieved without Mario Balotelli, the leader of your attack...

Some players weren’t there, others were and were there when needed. Those who were here tonight worked very well. We can win games without Mario, like the fact that we will win games without Allan or Myziane. The spirit of the squad is more important than a single player.

Does this win take off some of the pressure before the visit of PSG?

No, not at all. The game against Paris remains an important match, in front of our supporters. We know that they will be there in numbers, we will welcome the best team in the league. We will give ourselves the best chances of winning and will try to do everything to win it. I want us to play and for us to have no regrets at the end of the game.

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