OM-Monaco (1-0): Coach's reaction

The match

It was an enjoyable match for the spectators, but not for the coaches. Monaco are a strong opponent and we deserved to win this match because we had the chances in the first half.

We had 62% possession, 18 shots for OM and 12 for ASM. You can look at it in several ways. The pressure from ASM was not so different from that of PSG, Lens or Strasbourg away from home. We need to improve our play and be more clinical in our passing, but the statistics speak for themselves.

Geronimo Rulli

It's clear to see. He's doing very well, just like last year. But he can still improve in his ball distribution. However, we have very little time to work on it. When you work, you improve. We don't have much time to work, as some players arrived late in the transfer window.

An important victory

We have 9 points in the Champions League and 32 in Ligue 1, five points behind Lens, who are in first place. We're fighting hard in the Champions League for the next match. On Sunday, there's one last match before we go home for the holidays. The question I ask myself is: are we happy with the first half of the season? We have to be happy with what we're doing. We won a match with desire and style. But we can't be completely satisfied because we lost points here and there. We dropped points in the first few matches. I can't be entirely satisfied. We need to give the players a break; some of them haven't played. We can improve our game.

The break and the Africa Cup of Nations

There's only Sunday's match. The first half of the season isn't over. After that, there will be a few days' rest. On 4 January, we'll play Nantes, who have changed coaches. And on the 8th, there's the Champions Trophy. We have to keep up the pace.

The second half of the season

We'll be playing mainly in January. Between Nantes and the match against PSG, there are 10 matches in 35 days, so we'll have to step on the gas. There are Ligue 1 matches, Champions League matches and the Champions Trophy. There's Lens and PSG, two Champions League matches... We have to be at our best for these matches in January. If we have a full squad, I can manage energy levels differently. It's harder to choose the line-up, but it's easier to manage energy levels. We have to give the players credit. We didn't play badly, but the result is what counts.

Benjamin Pavard

He told me he had cramps at the start and he had the flu a few days ago.

Leonardo Balerdi

He's in good physical shape. It bothers me to leave him on the bench because he's given us a lot. I make choices and he knows why. He needs to take a step forward. He has to decide if he wants to become a great defender.