Hervé Renard secured his first victory since taking charge of Sochaux as they defeated Montpellier 3-2 in the League Cup on Wednesday. However, the win came at a cost, with the Lionceaux playing through 120 minutes, including extra time.
While the victory is a confidence booster, Renard expressed concerns about its impact on the players’ physical condition ahead of the 12th-day Ligue 1 match against Saint-Etienne. Captain Cédric Kanté and his teammates displayed commitment and solidarity, but Renard noted that the match had its share of mistakes and trivial actions that put the team in jeopardy.
In an interview with Sport 24, the Sochaux coach acknowledged the positive aspects of the performance but expressed annoyance at the need for extra time, especially before an important league match. Renard hopes that the extended playing time hasn’t drained the team’s physical reserves and that the players will recover fully before facing Saint-Etienne. Sochaux currently sits in 19th place with 6 points before the crucial 12th-day fixture.
