Ligue 1: We just have to admit that Lyon was stronger, notes Franck Haise

Following Rennes’ defeat on Sunday night in the closing game of the 32nd day of Ligue 1, the coach of Stade Rennais admitted that “OL’s victory does not suffer from any challenge.”

“Just admit that Lyon was stronger and more solid and considering our mistakes, facing such a caliber opponent, OL’s victory is indisputable,” said Rennes coach Franck Haise after the defeat of Stade Rennais against OL (4-2).

“There is disappointment. We will continue to fight for European places, especially against Paris FC in the next match. That’s what matters now,” added the coach in a press conference. “After the equalizer at 2-2, conceding the third goal quickly certainly hurt us a lot. We tried to equalize but when you are not very structured against a team like Lyon, you open up to all these transition situations or quick attacks they created,” analyzed Haise.

“It was necessary to accept this third goal and stay in a more structured pattern,” he admitted. “We made mistakes that were costly,” said defender Quentin Merlin. “There were positions that we could have managed better. It’s not over, there are still two matches left and especially the next one against Paris FC to fight for Europe, but losing is always frustrating when emotions are high,” he conceded, acknowledging that “Lyon was stronger.”

“Against Parisians, we will have to deliver a great match to qualify for Europe. The Champions League? We shouldn’t think about it. We are not far off, but we will see after the Paris FC match. We need to win our last two matches and we will be in Europe,” he declared.