For the 12th day of Ligue 1, the Racing Club de Lens welcomes Olympique de Marseille this Saturday at 5 p.m.. A meeting between the 8th and the 3rd in the ranking which could allow RC Lens to return to equal points with OM.
Third in the championship, OM are preparing for this trip to Lens by subjecting, like all teams, to the constraints of the international calendar. As with Will Still, Roberto De Zerbi recovered players late in this period. “We prepared for this match this morning, we prepare it a little this evening. We try to be as ready as possible »comments the person concerned.
Although on the Ligue 1 podium, the Marseillais are under pressure, in particular because of their last outing in the League where they lost at the Vélodrome against Auxerre (1-3). A defeat which caused a lot of bitterness. “I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic, I am realistic. The reality is that it's a difficult match, but we have the qualities to do better. But not only in relation to Auxerre. We can do better than in Nantes, better than in Montpellier. My team has the qualities to play better at home, of course, but also away »explains the coach.
An important match
Moreover, following this defeat, Roberto De Zerbi said he was ready to leave if necessary. Comments, which today, were clarified by the latter: “We had to work with seven or eight fewer players. We worked on the physical, less on the tactics. We have a strong team, we know what we have to do to progress. Me, but the players and the club in general, do not accept the match against Auxerre. On the ground, it was not enough. I didn't use strong words. I just took responsibility. We played five matches at the Vélodrome, one victory, two draws and two defeats. I take my own responsibilities. If you think I'm going to resign, that it's my idea, I really want to emphasize that I'm not running away. I stay here, I did not flee from Shakhtar even when Putin launched bombings in kyiv. I believe in this OM, in the players I coach. I'm not going anywhere else. »
The best away team in the championship, Marseille are approaching this trip with a feeling of revenge, but without it being crucial for the rest of the season. “The moment of truth for me is every day, not just matches. This comes through training. It's a three-point game tomorrow, not a twelve-man game. We know what we have to do to have a good match, to erase our faults. It’s an important match, with the objectives of doing well and winning.”estimate Roberto De Zerbi.
