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

After Rennes’ defeat on Sunday evening in the closing match of the 32nd round of Ligue 1, the coach of Stade Rennais admitted that “OL’s victory is beyond dispute.”

“Just admit that Lyon was stronger and more solid and, considering our mistakes against an opponent of this caliber, OL’s victory is unquestionable,” said Rennes coach Franck Haise after the defeat 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 2-2 equalizer, conceding the third goal very quickly certainly hurt us. We tried to equalize but when you are not very structured against a team like Lyon, you open yourselves to all these transition situations or fast attacks that they created,” analyzed Haise.

“It was necessary to accept that third goal and stick to a more structured plan,” he conceded. “We made costly mistakes, said defender Quentin Merlin. There were positions that we could have handled better. It’s not over, there are two more matches, including the next one against Paris FC to reach Europe, but it’s always frustrating to lose when emotions are high,” he acknowledged, recognizing that “Lyon were stronger.”

“Against PSG, we will have to deliver a great performance to qualify for Europe. Champions League? We shouldn’t think about it. We’re not that far off but we’ll see against Paris FC. We need to win our last two matches and we will be in Europe,” he declared.

[Context: The Stade Rennais coach and players reflecting on their defeat against Lyon and discussing their ambitions for securing European qualification in their upcoming matches.]

[Fact Check: The match ended in a 4-2 victory for Lyon over Rennes.]