Meunier: ‘We didn’t panic’

Thomas, after trailing again, the team came from behind to defeat Rennes. How do you analyse the match?
“I think we improved as the match went on, we played more simply. In the first half, we lost a lot of easy ball, missed passes and dribbles… Slowly but surely we came into the game, started dominating the possession. We stayed calm, we didn’t panic and we concentrated on our own strengths. We started creating a few chances before equalising. We knew that we could restore order. Rennes are a very good side, with excellent players. They put us under a lot of pressure. But we managed to play the ball out of defence, play a bit more direct and precise.”

Would it have been a different match if we hadn’t scored just before half-time?
“We were turning things around. But that doesn’t mean we were sure to win. Scoring just before half time changed the game. If Rennes had led into the break, I’m sure they would have changed tactics and we would have found ourselves up against eight or nine players camped on the edge of their own 18-yard box. It would have been a lot harder to make the difference. At 1-1 they kept playing to win, to their credit. We managed to take advantage of that. So, yes, I think it would have been a very different match if we hadn’t equalised just before the break.”

On the scoresheet against Liverpool, you also scored again…
“Like on Tuesday, I found myself in the penalty box. It was a similar type of goal because at that stage of the game I was playing very high, like when we play with three at the back, Juan and I were level with the midfield. I like that, helping out in attack. When we come forward like that, at full speed, it’s hard to stop us. Neymar saw me and played me in perfectly and I found myself one-on-one with the ‘keeper. The third goal by Eric Maxim (Choupo-Moting) was practically the same. We came up the field in three passes. I thought that was a great goal and I’m very happy for Eric Maxim. He trains hard and has settled very quickly, he’s always smiling and I think he’s an interesting guy. It was a great finish.”

And now the matches are coming thick and fast…
“We have to get into the rhythm. We had a great pre-season and worked very hard in August, and July for those guys that were here. The coach told us then that his aim was to start October with everyone in top form and raring to go. Already, we can see that we are working harder and harder in matches, with more and more high-intensity runs. That’s the most important thing. I think we are almost in top form physically.”