Coupe de France: Christian Gourcuff Praises Super Eagles Star For His Performance

Nantes manager Christian Gourcuff was not impressed with his side defensive display in the Coupe de France loss to Lyon, but he praised Moses Simon performance in the clash.

The Super Eagles winger was a thorn in the flesh of Lyon defenders, scoring once and providing two assists in the French Cup thriller. 

However, it was not enough as a brace from Rayan Cherki plus goals from Martin Terrier and Moussa Dembele ensured Lyon’s passage to the next round.

Speaking after his side’s loss, Nantes manager, Christian Gourcuff hit out at his side’s defending but reserved praises for Simon and Renaud Emond.

“By defending like that, we couldn’t win this game. At 0-2 so fast (8 minutes of play), we are not in the best conditions. There has been too much defensive laxity. And therefore many regrets, the former Le Mans manager told Ouest France 

Speaking on Simon’s performance, Gourcuff said he’s a player that always makes the difference, while he also praised the performance of his sided first goalscorer Renaud Emond.

“Simon always makes his differences. Renaud, we know his qualities of self-denial, of mobility. It allows a real work of pressing which was not very effective because we were badly located.” 

“We should have gone to look for them much higher. He has a very big activity. It’s interesting in the collective game. It also allows others to move, Gourcuff added.