Matarazzo says Europe demands greater precision

“Europe demands more, of course; we lacked sharpness, finesse and precision,” Matarazzo said after the match against Lyon. He regretted that his team had not taken the three points it believed it deserved, while insisting that a top-eight finish remained possible.

In his assessment of the match, he judged the second half more convincing, with greater control and situations in which to create chances. The team, he said, had been stronger defensively than in attack, but lacked accuracy with the final pass. He also noted that the goal had been conceded too easily and that Lyon had not created many chances. “There is a lot of positive to take from the match. We wanted the points, but we have to keep going,” he said.

His analysis also focused on decisions in the final third. Matarazzo pointed to spaces available for attacks with numbers and good positions for Gonçalo to receive the ball, but regretted that passes into the space between Lyon’s defenders lacked pace. “We have to be more precise, more refined, sharper to score more against teams at this level,” he stressed, adding that decision-making also needed to improve to create more chances.

The match also raised fitness concerns. Sarr, who had been having an excellent game, went into the dressing room at half-time with discomfort in his soleus; the doctor decided he had to come off. Mikel had back pain, and his condition was to be assessed the next day. Soler, who was ill and had slept poorly, had nevertheless trained well; Matarazzo hoped he would be available on Sunday.

Asked about Take, he said the player would have further opportunities, perhaps on Sunday, and that he needed to make the most of his minutes to earn more. He explained Pablo’s selection by the role expected of him in the low block and his ability to run both forward and back. He also said he had not wanted to alter the defence while the team was functioning well in that area.

Looking ahead in Europe, Matarazzo acknowledged that a top-eight finish had become difficult, but not impossible. He described the match against Lyon as a missed opportunity and identified the next meeting with Crystal Palace as the next step. “There are four matches left and we want the points in every one,” he said.