Nice boss aims to show a better side against FC Porto | OneFootball

The Gallic club is going through a turbulent period, with four consecutive defeats in all competitions, the most recent being a heavy thrashing against Marseille (5-1), a situation that the coach does not hesitate to describe as an “obvious crisis.”

“It was a heavy defeat, we know that. Today we watched the video of the game against Marseille and identified several mistakes and aspects where we need to improve. We want to do better against FC Porto. This week went well, I liked the players’ reaction on the pitch, there was work and commitment. And that’s the most important thing,” said the coach, in the preview of the match against Porto at Estádio do Dragão.

The coach admits that the two teams are going through different phases and foresees difficulties against an FC Porto that leads the Portuguese Primeira Liga, although he argues that the real difference between the teams is not that great.

“We want to give the best possible image, that’s all we want after losing the first four games. We know what FC Porto is worth, given their history in European competitions and their current context. They are an excellent team, working very well, especially in the Portuguese league. We are in different phases, but the imbalance between the teams is not that big,” the coach added.

With the southern French side having only defeats in the competition and their chances of qualifying becoming more complicated, Haise refuses to see participation as “survival,” prioritizing performance improvement.

“We didn’t come here thinking about qualification. We’ve lost all four games, it’s been a long time since we’ve won a European match. We don’t think of this as a survival game in the competition, qualification for the next phase doesn’t cross our minds. The priority is just to play a great game and take positive things from it,” the coach explained.

Despite the negative moment, the coach guarantees that the group remains “united” and ready to turn things around: “This phase is difficult for everyone, but only together will we be able to overcome this moment.”

Sofiane Diop, Moroccan international midfielder for Nice, who accompanied his coach at the press conference previewing the clash with the ‘blue and whites’, shared this view.

The player called for maximum dedication from his teammates, an element he considers essential to leave the Dragão with all three points, and praised FC Porto’s strength.

“I don’t want to look too much at what’s behind us. We have to accept the situation we’re in and move forward, try to improve and show good things. We’re going to face a magnificent opponent, a European top side. These are the games I like to play and we’re going to give our all,” the player said.

FC Porto, 14th in the Europa League group stage with seven points, hosts Nice, 35th and second-to-last, still without points, from 5:45 p.m. on Thursday at Estádio do Dragão, under the refereeing of Slovenian Matej Jug.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.