After qualifying for the Coupe de France final, Claude Puel paid tribute to his players for the players provided.
Thursday evening, and for the first time in 38 years, ASSE qualified for the final of the Coupe de France. The Stéphanois won the bet to get the Rennes defender (2-1) out after a scrambling match that only fell on their side in the 90th minute. A very tasty success which led Claude Puel to hire his protégés.
The experienced technician has not always been tender with his flock in this season where they flirt with relegation to the league. But on Thursday, he could only admit that they were up to the task. “In adversity, it is not easy for the group to get back to work every time and make such a match, today, to be present until the end. I say bravo ”.
A “fully deserved” qualification
As for the match itself, the former OL coach believes that his training was very deserving and that the success gleaned is perfectly: “We have created quite a few opportunities. We take a goal on the first opportunity in Rennes, we could have lowered our heads, but we were very strong (…) It was a full match, we gave ourselves the means to be efficient. It’s a fully deserved qualification. I am very happy for the group ”.
Finally, Puel also stressed that this great victory should serve as an example for the future, notably with this battle for the maintenance that awaits the Greens. “We always try to be positive in all situations (…) It’s a breath of fresh air,” he conceded. This qualification in the final gives life to the group, even if we are all aware now that we have to advance in the championship. It will be very tough. ”