In an incandescent Cauldron, the Greens welcome Olympique de Marseille, current second in Ligue 1. After a failed match against ESTAC before the international break, the Stéphanois will have to throw all their forces into the battle to worry the Olympians. On the Marseille side, Jorge Sampaoli’s men are recovering well after a slump in early 2022. The point with @ompassion.
Tell us about the Olympique de Marseille season
We would say that the current season for OM, so far, is very positive. This is evidenced by our second place in the standings as well as the upcoming Europa League Conference quarter-final, all with a 70% revised squad. Even if it is only the smallest of the Continental Cups, we must not forget that Europe is in OM’s DNA and that we will be proud to be able to say “Never the first” again. However, the course in the French Cup with the slap received in Nice, remains in our throats because there was really enough to go to the end. There is also a part of frustration because we let too many points slip away at the Stade Vélodrome. By taking even half of those points, we would be almost guaranteed to be second and fighting for the championship title. There were also many misunderstandings in the tactical choices of Jorge Sampaoli, his choice to deprive himself of Arkadiusz Milik when he should be the first name to be checked on the score sheet. There is also the management of Alvaro González, who was a real leader in the locker room and who was dismissed without qualms even though he often responded and rendered serious services to our team.
Will the absence of Arkadiusz Milik have a heavy impact on OM?
It is true that Milik has been coming back well for a few games and has scored a few goals that are worth their weight in gold in the race for qualification for the Champions League. He is our main asset in the area, but it should also be noted that the team was able to deliver great performances also when Dimitri Payet was playing in false nine, although he seems to have been in a slight physical decline for a few years. weeks. So certainly, the absence of the Pole would be detrimental if he were to forfeit, because he is a formidable scorer when he is found in the box or when a ball is dragging, but we also have attacking elements such as Bakambu, Ünder, Payet, Bamba Dieng, Gerson to name a few, capable of making a difference at any time.
Jorge Sampaoli’s men will move, without the support of their supporters, in an incandescent Cauldron. Do you fear this move?
This match in the Cauldron without our supporters will be special. For our players it will be like being in an arena, a lion’s den, we know the fervor of the Stéphanois. But our players are psychologically strong although many are young. This match will be a good “training” at this level for our next trips to other incandescent stadiums.
On the Canebière, how is AS Saint-Étienne seen?
AS Saint-Etienne is one of the historic rivals of Olympique de Marseille. In the hierarchy of our rivalries, in our history, for many ultra supporters, for the “purists” who are not influenced by the marketing of TV broadcasters, Saint-Etienne is a club, at the same time, that we like to hate but also that we respect for its history, although in this hierarchy it falls behind Toulon and Bordeaux. The matches against the Greens are always eagerly awaited. Because it is with OM the club which has been a forerunner in winning the championship over several consecutive years and in the European Cup. This is why we take AS Saint-Etienne as an important rival, regardless of the ranking.
Which players are in form on the Olympian side?
Among the players in form on the Olympian side, there is obviously Arkadiusz Milik, but also Ünder who is capable of unleashing a strike from his right side at any time. In the middle Mattéo Guendouzi, Gerson, Valentin Rongier and Boubacar Kamara do a lot of work both in recovery and in passing the ball. Behind, the central Saliba – Caleta-Car hinge is very reassuring. Our downside comes from the sides. Kolasinac, since he arrived, has solidified this left side. But on the right side, fortunately Jorge Sampaoli relies on Valentin Rongier in a hybrid role, because when Lirola starts, it is very far from being defensive insurance.
Which players do you fear at AS Saint-Étienne?
There is necessarily Bouanga and Khazri who are the safe bets. The latter is also very often successful with him against OM and manages to score a minimum goal. We must not forget Nordin, who has a lot of potential and finally Kolo, who is the captain behind.
And finally, a little prognosis?
1-2 or 1-3. ASSE, which is fighting for maintenance, needs points. Facing OM and in front of their supporters, they will be forced to take matters into their own hands and try to hurry us, and that will certainly leave space to score several goals. It is still necessary that the Saint-Etienne goalkeeper does not make the match of his life, because that can also be a determining parameter in the result of the meeting.
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