Sébastien Pocognoli: "We simply lacked consistency"

Four goals weren't enough. After a high-scoring, back-and-forth match, our Rouge et Blanc ultimately suffered a crazy 5-4 defeat, despite leading 4-1 shortly before the hour mark. Disappointed not to have ended the 2025-2026 season on a high note, coach Sébastien Pocognoli spoke to the media to analyze the match. 🎙️

Good evening, coach. What are your initial thoughts after this match?

We had a good start to the match and, more generally, a good first half, even though we conceded a goal that we ourselves gave away. But overall, we had a fairly satisfactory match, both with and without the ball. We scored using playing principles that have been recognizable for quite some time. At 4-1 up, some may have thought the match was over, but unfortunately, we then conceded that goal, which inevitably changed the game.

Strasbourg regained their confidence and returned to a good level. We then came under pressure, so we had to bring in fresh legs because, inevitably, there are high work rates and the management of certain players to consider, but we defended poorly in those moments. We simply lacked consistency. There were, however, some very good things and some excellent individual performances, but we also lacked many of the ingredients to close out a match that we had in our grasp.

How do you explain conceding four goals in the last half hour?

We could have scored more ourselves, but it's not the first time this year we've been on the receiving end of a goal avalanche, at least when we're going through periods of weakness like we are now. It's true that our mental strength is sometimes quite weak, and for that, we absolutely need leadership and players who can calm things down during those periods. My role as coach is also to try and turn things around. So we tried making changes, and we had a lot of young players on the pitch at the end. There are some positives to be found in those changes, but if we look at the score, we're obviously disappointed.

Do you think your team lacked leadership?

Yes, even though our leaders like Denis Zakaria and Lukáš Hrádecký were on the pitch at the end of the match, the reality is that we had a young team to finish the game. Nevertheless, there's certainly a history that everyone knows, specific to this season, which means that at certain times we're weak. These are details that have been built up this year, and unfortunately, not always in our favor, so it's disappointing.

Were you surprised to see Strasbourg react when you scored the fourth goal?

No, I actually expected them to start the match the way they finished it. We had a very good start, causing them a lot of problems with our ball movement, but also thanks to our pressing. Ultimately, these are basic principles that have been very recognizable since I arrived and that are present in good moments, but they are often diminished by the scoreline, and that's quite frustrating.

How do you assess this seventh-place finish?

Look, my role is to analyze what didn't work, and naturally, there's a need for self-reflection. I do my own every day, and the most important thing now is to look concretely at what worked and what didn't this year. When I arrived, I tried to bring back an identity, group cohesion, core principles, and a code of conduct that I've never changed. So it's crucial to retain the positives and keep them as a foundation for next year. Everyone, at every level, needs to engage in self-criticism, try to learn, and evolve for next year.