The Nice coach has praised his players following their impressive showing in the club’s first victory of the pre-season against CS Constantine
The 50-year-old, who took the reins of Les Aiglons earlier in the summer, has been impressed by his side’s performance in the game against the Algerian club.
OGC Nice are witnessing a major overhaul in their ranks following the departure of some key players from Stade Municipal http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Eric-Mouloungui-c12713 and Francois Clerc, all leaving the Ligue 1 outfit ahead of the new season.
The French club did not enjoy the best start to their pre-season. However, after drawing their first game of the tour and tasting defeat in the next two, the Ligue 1 outfit has finally turned things around in their lead-up to the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 campaign.
Nice notched their first win of the pre-season when they defeated CS Constantine 3-1, in front of 55000 Algerian fans on Sunday. And Nice coach, Claude Puel, is more than pleased with the way his players fought against an impressive Algerian side.
While talking to reporters, the former Monaco coach said that the atmosphere was brilliant throughout the game and their opponent gave them a really hard time.
"We weren't expecting to see so many people. The atmosphere was wonderful and our opponents were of a high standard, especially in the first half.”
The Frenchman said that the earlier goal against his side worked in their way as players lifted their game because of that and put in an impressive performance.
“The goal that we stupidly conceded meant that we had to lift our game. And overall, it was a good performance; we had a lot of scoring chances at the start of the second half that could have killed the game off a bit earlier.”
Claude Puel said that his side is getting better with time and has asked his players to win the remaining games of the pre-season as it will set the tone for them for the up-coming season.
“We're making progress, but we need to make sure we don't take any steps backwards in our next two friendlies."
OGC Nice will face AC Ajaccio in the opening fixture of 2012/2013 Ligue 1 campaign.
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