"Very far from being 100%": the words of OGC Nice coach Franck Haise before the trip to Le Havre on Sunday

The season started on August 5 or 6. But the step was too high compared to the opponent (Benfica) we had, who logically qualified for the Champions League. Then, winning a match always feels good after three defeats in a row, even if the match against Toulouse should have, I think, resulted in a draw. We know that everything wasn't perfect. We know, for example, that we conceded a lot of chances and that our goalkeeper was forced to work too hard. He was very good, and that's a good thing. We have a team that is really rebuilding, with a lot of youth and new players. It's imperfect, obviously. But we're working to improve it. That's our goal. Whatever squad we have on September 1 or 2, the goal is to fight with this squad, which has quality. And give the best of ourselves. Victories feel good because they allow us to do so with a more positive mindset, even when there are things to correct. We will have to improve every day, that's for sure, because we are currently very far from being at 100%.

The non-transfer of Jonathan Clauss to Leverkusen

There's always a digestion phase when you experience these moments, which is quite logical, but when you see the investment he had in his session yesterday (Thursday) with a lot of energy... We had talked together beforehand. He knew things. I didn't need to take him back to my office for three hours. Obviously I need him. Without him, we would have weakened. To replace good players, in certain positions, it has a cost. The clubs haven't reached an agreement. He has a contract, he has an option year. He's with us.

Pablo Rosario in Porto

I told him, and I want to repeat, that I wish him the best. Pablo is one of those players that every coach dreams of coaching. Because he's a real personality who's capable of bringing people along with him. He's someone who's a true competitor. That is to say, he works to win every day. And he always responded during his four years at Nice. Then there's the economic reality. He had one year left on his contract, and the club couldn't afford to offer him an extension under the conditions he had. So there was an agreement for him to leave. Are we sufficiently equipped in midfield? It's not the number of players that makes us have a good midfield; it's the balance of profiles. I'll talk about the transfer window when it's over.

The opponent

I watched their last match (1-2 defeat against Lens) because obviously, playing at home, which is what will happen this weekend, interested me more. I thought they were very enterprising. They had an excellent first half where, for once, they were not rewarded since they were 2-1 down. I think the advantage should certainly have been reversed. In the second half, they put a lot of energy into getting the equalizer. It would certainly have been quite logical. But they are a team that works hard, that finished the season very well with an exceptional performance and that deserved to stay in the league last year. They knew how to stay calm even when the storm was brewing. It is a credit to the club, to Didier (Digard) for staying the course. They are a team that will be perhaps even more difficult to play against this year.