“There is only qualifying that counts”, “four matches before the Stade de France”: reactions after MHSC’s victory in the Coupe de France

Der Zakarian était forcément satisfait du résultat du MHSC à Amiens. MIDI LIBRE – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Le Montpellier Hérault s'est imposé à Amiens lors des 32es de finale de Coupe de France samedi 6 janvier, de quoi réjouir son entraîneur Michel Der Zakarian après la rencontre.

Michel Der Zakarien, Montpellier coach: "Qualifying is what counts, Only the qualification counts. I would have liked us to be much better technically, that we had better tactical mastery, we lacked mobility, movement. We sometimes moved a lot but it was too little. But the main thing is to be qualified. 

The team has shown a good attitude for several matches, we have regained defensive aggressiveness, we concede fewer chances, we have more security at the back. When we are more solid, we have the possibility of scoring. We were efficient in our situations. We didn't have many. Kelvin (Yeboah) could have scored before too, in the first period. If it hits, it's a goal. This is where we need to progress.

Scoring in the game ? A moment as we say. You have to persevere, be even more aggressive. When it comes back, we're going to score a lot of goals.

Amiens also had quite a few absences. It wasn’t a great football match. But in the Cup the main thing is to be in the next draw. There are four matches left before the Stade de France

Tanguy (Coulibaly) tried to perform his role as a piston well but as technically we had difficulty holding the ball, it was average. He tried to do what he had to do well.

Hefti ? We followed him for a while. We almost did it during my first visit. He has good footing, an ability to repeat efforts.

Yeboah ? I didn't talk about the (penalty) takers. He made the decision to strike. When you put it at the bottom, it's well pulled. He had participated before but not played much. He wanted to show off.

Adams had back pain earlier this week. And it got worse on Wednesday. We preferred not to take any risks. He came with us but we spared him."

Omar Daf, Amiens coach: "We created a lot of situations. It must be recognized that the team in front has qualities. The first goal comes against the run of play. The penalty is severe. You have to respect the decision even if it’s hard. We come back to 2-1. With more madness we could have gone to penalties.

Disappointment is the result. We are competitive, we wanted to pass. Unfortunately we were not efficient enough, spontaneous against a very solid Montpellier team with its three-man defense. Despite that, we weighed on them, we hit more than them. But it takes more madness to win. It’s this state of mind, this commitment that I want to see in every meeting."