Even if, like the group, Vincent Manceau never doubted despite the difficult pass of his team, Vincent Manceau expressed his relief and satisfaction after the success against Montpellier on Saturday.

We imagine you proud after this victory against Montpellier, second in Ligue 1 ...

We are very happy. The efforts paid off. For some games, we were not necessarily rewarded. Tonight we have been. We had a very good match. We did not leave anything to this team, we were very solid.

Did doubt settle in the group after the last games without a win?

We never doubted. Despite these games without a win, we were sure of our strengths. But there was always something missing to make it rock on the bright side. Tonight, this victory is deserved, even if, when we score after the break, we were a little worse. But we played a big game and that's what we have to remember. It feels good to win.

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This defense to five, what has changed for you?

I have to bring more offensively in such a scheme. Collectively, it took a lot of communication because it was a first. We've known each other for a long time so that made things easier.

It was a very tactical match. Is it something you imagined ahead of the game?

This system, we worked it this week but we had never tested it in a match. So, of course, it was necessary to be in place tactically and not to leave them spaces, to harass their attackers so that they do not return to our goal. In the first half, they were disturbed. We managed to get out the ball, we chained the passes, we managed to get situations. In the second half, they rectified the shot, it was more difficult for us to take out the ball. But we did not let go, we continued to move forward.

You said that "the efforts paid off". You feel tired ...

Yes (laughs). At the end of the match, I could not really anymore. It's all us, that: we will draw deep inside ourselves to turn things around. This is how we advance. We must continue in this direction.

Did you miss this victory?

It was still five games we did not win. It was important to take these three points. Especially before the truce. We will be able to work well for two weeks.

This victory is similar to that against Lille. Above all, they are two victories like you: 1-0, a goal on set kick, a good defense ...

Yes, it was the recipe of our first season in Ligue 1, with a big defense. But in the first half, we could have hurt them more.

A week after taking 4 in Saint-Etienne, it was important to reassure oneself on the defensive side ...

It's true that it was a few matches we did not realize a clean-sheet. After Saint-Etienne, we saw that we had made too many mistakes. It was necessary to rectify the shot. Tonight, it was necessary above all to defend well. Then we know we have offensive quality to hurt any team. It has been shown again.