Is OM launched? After three victories and a draw in the league and driven by clear progress in the game, the Marseillais want to end the year peacefully on Sunday (2:45 p.m.) in Saint-Etienne, for their entry into the Coupe de France.
Fifteen days ago, before already going to challenge the Greens to Geoffroy-Guichard, the Marseille coach Roberto DeZerbi had asked for three victories to end the year well and avoid “a shitty Christmas”.
The contract will not be fulfilled, since after easily beating Saint-Etienne (2-0) during the 14th day of L1, OM were held in check six days later by Lille at the Stade Vélodrome (1-1). But Marseille only gave in at the very end of the match, after a high-level duel, and management saw more cause for hope than worry.
“We are averaging two points per match, we are on target and I am satisfied”declared the Marseille president on Wednesday Pablo Longoria during his traditional mid-season press conference.
“The dynamic is positive and there have been a lot of visible improvements, even if there are still ups and downs. I am happy with the work done by the technical staff and the availability of the players to adapt to a new game idea which is increasingly identified”added the Spanish leader.
When it comes time to face the Greens again, who have since changed coach, going fromOlivier dall'Oglio in Norwegian Eirik Horneland (who will be in the stands on Sunday while Laurent Huard will act as interim on the bench), the demanding De Zerbi also saw things in a positive light.
“We want to win and play well, because we are in a good moment. We regret not having beaten Lille but we had a great match and we must continue on this path”he declared on Friday.
Burn the suitcases
But whileAdrien Rabiotslightly ill, and Geronimo RulliWho “grinding his teeth for two weeks”, are uncertain, the Italian coach added that he was wary of this last match of 2024 and that we should not expect a massive turnover.
“It is the best possible team that will play. I do not have to give gifts, I have nothing to offer my players, it is the best who must play, whether in the Cup or in the championshiphe said. We care a lot about this Cup, it has been missing in Marseille for a long time (last success in 1989, editor’s note). And in the championship, we didn't win easily. We won because we had a great performance.”
“Sunday, it will be a completely different match. They have a new coach and those who are going to play will want to show themselves. And we know that where OM goes, it’s always a fight”concluded the Italian.
Well briefed, the defender Amir Murillo didn't say anything else. “The Cup is very important for us, we want to win it”he assured. “This weekend, we will have to have the same mentality as in the last matches. We beat them but it will be a totally different match, with a new coach, a new system. And we want to keep our dynamic”added the Panamanian, who also undoubtedly remembers that de Zerbi has already warned those who would head off on vacation a little too early.
“I warned them that after this match, it was obligatory to come back here, to the Commanderie. And until then, I don't want to see any suitcases or travel bags. Otherwise I'll burn them in the locker room“, he warned.
