Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel was impressed with Nîmes Olympique but thought his side deserved to come away with a 4-2 win. Full Week 4 reactions…
Saturday, 1 September, 2018
Nîmes Olympique 2-4 Paris Saint-Germain 
Bernard Blaquart (Nîmes coach): “We tried to harry Paris in midfield. We weren’t perfect but we made them worry. We’re disappointed by the result, we came very close, but we’re satisfied with how we played. We competed with Paris. It’s frustrated to concede when you’re on the front foot but I didn’t want to stop playing at 2-2. We couldn’t settle for a draw, that’s not our game. We’re still a bit inexperienced and Paris were stronger in the end.”
Thomas Tuchel (PSG coach): “I’m happy with the result. We showed our commitment in the first half but also had difficulties in the second. I warned my player this week about the intensity of Nîmes’ game. We must always be focused against this kind of opponent. We never panicked. It was a difficult match in a difficult atmosphere and on a horrible pitch, but Paris deserves its victory.”
Angers SCO 1-0 LOSC 
Stéphane Moulin (Angers coach): “First of all, it’s a great joy as well as a relief because I’d said to anyone that would listen that our three matches deserved better than zero points, even if we hadn’t done everything right. We’re very happy to have beaten them, not because we have something against them, but because we needed it and it wasn’t easy. We know it’ll be hard for us, but we will still have to belief in ourselves because we intend to hang on.”
Christophe Galtier (LOSC coach): “We knew we were going to be up against a strong, athletic Angers side, especially at set pieces. Then in the game, our passes were a bit loose. Angers played with a deep defensive block and even when we got to them we failed to find the final ball. We failed to take risks even though we talked about it at half-time.”
Dijon FCO 0-2 SM Caen 
Olivier Dall’Oglio (Dijon coach): “This defeat brought us back down to earth. We won’t panic, though, because nine points in four days remains a good record. But what annoys me is how we started the game. There was a lack of aggression. Caen, who are a strong team with good players, were able to dominate us physically and it was quite logical that they scored. We missed a killer instinct in the final third. We were reacting the whole time.”
Fabien Mercadal (Caen coach): “I’m happy for the players. Five points in four days, with three away games is not bad at all. I really enjoyed my team’s energy. We wanted to thwart Dijon, of course, but we came here to win. We had difficult moments at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. I’m also very pleased with Claudio Beauvue. He only arrived in Caen a few days ago but he’s adapted quickly.”
EA Guingamp 1-2 Toulouse FC 
Antoine Kombouaré (Guingamp coach): “We had a catastrophic start which obviously made it hard for us. We still managed to calm down and reduce the difference but you could see it was difficult for the young players. But young players need support and I trust them. We have to brace ourselves for a fight for weeks, even months. We must be strong. We’ll all lift our heads up.”
Alain Casanova (Toulouse coach): “With attacked them right from kick-off and gave them problems. Faced with a Guingamp team that was going to press and push us, we were able to keep the ball. We took advantage of their defensive hesitation and showed great cohesion. My players’ mentality today made me happy.”
Stade de Reims 0-1 Montpellier Hérault SC 
David Guion (Reims coach): “Montpellier were a big problem us, very difficult to move. We played well with more than 20 shots and half a dozen chances. Our mistake was not scoring. It’s annoying but with hindsight, being able to play as well as this against a team like Montpellier after only four games is encouraging.”
Michel Der Zakarian (Montpellier coach): “Reims were beating us everywhere, especially in the second half. Technically, we weren’t good at all. We’re lucky that we’re dangerous on set pieces. I’m glad that we managed to repel their chances and up front we were killers, Reims weren’t. That’s often the difference. We also have a great goalkeeper in Benjamin Lecomte, who’s made a great start to the season. I hope the French team will think about him if Hugo Lloris is out.”
RC Strasbourg Alsace 2-3 FC Nantes 
Thierry Laurey (Strasbourg coach): “It’s disappointing because we scored two goals and could have scored more. We can only blame ourselves. It’s a shame because we made a good start to the match. We must do a lot better defensively. You have to find a balance between having the ball and using it well. We weren’t good at using it. I don’t have much to reproach the boys with, even if we gave Nantes too many chances.”
Miguel Cardoso (Nantes coach): “It’s really satisfying to see my players happy. They’ve played well since the start of the season and it was about time we won. It gives us confidence and energy. We did things well and were effective, even if the start of the match was difficult. We managed the game well and found spaces between the lines. We’re no better than yesterday because we won a match. This win is good, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Friday, 31 August, 2018
Olympique Lyonnais 0-1 OGC Nice 
Bruno Génésio (Lyon coach): “The result is difficult to digest. Sometimes defeats are deserved because you don’t do everything you to deserve to win, but not tonight. The players did their best. Maybe we missed bit of aggression and efficiency in front of the goal to avoid this mishap.”
Patrick Vieira (Nice coach): “We needed this victory for the points. We’re not in euphoria simply because we won. We have regrouped well. We worked hard to get the three points and it’s good for morale. Mario Balotelli did us a lot of good. He transmitted his desire to win to his teammates. He’s an important player for the team.”
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