From 1 p.m., follow the press conference live from the RLD center on the eve of the reception in Nîmes with the new Marseille recruit, Pol Lirola, and OM coach André Villas-Boas.
Pablo Longoria: “hides a difficult market”
Presentation
It is a goal that we had since the departure of Bouna Sarr, to recruit a right side. We had opportunities during the summer transfer window but in the end it could not be done. Finally we recruited Pol Lirola since there was a lot of movement on the side of Fiorentina. He is a Spanish player with whom I have already worked at Juventus, then he cut his teeth at Sassuolo and then at Fio. He is also the European Under-21 champion, he’s a player with international experience. He has good offensive skills and it is therefore for all these reasons that I believe in him, which will have a direct impact on the team. It comes on loan for 6 months with an option to buy.
Private market
These are special negotiations because everyone is in the midst of an economic crisis, club revenues are falling and not only in France, in Europe too. We must now think more during the mercatos, for example there are only 4 or 5 players who have exceeded 10 million euros during this transfer period for the moment.
Looking for a 9
I know that there is a huge expectation for a striker to come here in Marseille. It’s normal that the supporters are demanding, it puts pressure on us but it’s a good pressure that helps us to improve. But the problem is that many clubs, especially Italians, are also looking for this type of player. What is a good thing is that Atlético Madrid to find its 9 so that makes less competition for the search for a striker. But it remains a difficult transfer window, we are looking, we have to be smart, we are on several tracks.
Pol Lirola: “Alvaro helps me a lot”
LOON
I knew that OM were a great club with a history, that they had been present on the European scene in recent seasons, whether in the Europa League or in the LDC. I know there have been Spanish full-backs here before me and I just hope to give my all here.
His big first
Indeed everything happened quickly, I signed, I did a training session and the coach offered me a few minutes. I don’t know my teammates well yet but Alvaro helps me a lot, especially since he is also Spanish. I still have to improve in French.
Alvaro
Indeed with Alvaro we talked about my coming here, he told me that he was very happy that I came, that it was a good step forward for me, that here it is a family club and that it is true that my first day here went well, everyone made me feel comfortable.
Franck Ribery
Yes Franck is a very good friend, I worked with him for a year and a half and indeed he is a very great player. We talked about OM and he told me that he was very happy for me, that if I needed something here in Marseille, I just had to ask him. He also told me about the supporters who are exceptional here.
Ligue 1
I watched team matches and also the championship, I noticed that Ligue 1 was very physical with very physical players, they go up and down very quickly on the pitch. I really think I can adapt.
Pablo Longoria
Yes, we’ve known each other well with Pablo for 4 or 5 years now, the fact that we’re both Spanish helped a lot when I came here to OM and we get along very well.
André Villas-Boas: “we gain more depth”
Pol Lirola
We were looking for a position and yes with Pol we gain more depth since Sakai is more defensive than offensive, he is complementary. We can better manage our approaches to matches. Putting Sakai on the left is an option but Nagatomo has been playing good games lately, I trust him.
Injuries
Yes Steve will miss the next match against Nîmes, he may be available for Lens. He has a grade 1 muscle injury, he was injured around the 30th minute against Paris. For Amavi it will be longer than expected, we thought he could be back in training today but no. We doubt that he could be there for Lens, when he runs straight he is fine but as soon as he has to change direction he still feels some pain.
L’albatros
Pele is ready, last year when we needed him he responded immediately. I’m not worried about him, that’s why we had extended his contract, he will perform well, I have confidence in him.
The next game
We had some success with this 4-4-2 diamond so the arrival of Pol will allow us to pass again in this device. It hurt Nîmes during our first confrontation this season, they will undoubtedly bring about a change in their system as a result. Lately they played 4-5-1, against Lille and Strasbourg, they were more defensive. It will in any case be necessary to pay attention to this formation, they are dangerous in transition.
The attacker
I am not speaking with Milik, we have started negotiations with Naples but that is all. Regarding Diego Costa, we must remember that he receives 16 million euros per year, so hey… He is a very great striker but in terms of salary it is not possible. It’s difficult to find the famous 9 because there were a lot of great players in this position in Marseille, it is perhaps because of Papin, Drogba, etc … that there is a very big wait. I still hope that Dario finds his level of last year.
Cooking
He started well with us, he had a chance against Montpellier but he is still trying to find his best level. Sometimes a player can lose confidence so we hope that he will gain some to make him play more. I talk a lot and I trust him. He works well, behaves well, it will do it.
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