Despite all his experience from Holland, Spain or England, Bolo Zenden still feels the same excitement before a derby.
Do you think that the result against Ajax was a good one?
It was just a shame that we conceded a goal. There is still the return leg to go and we can be satisfied with our level of play and the fact that we scored two goals, even if we had the chances to score more. Especially as last year, against Zenith, we won 3-1 at home and we let up a little in the return leg in Russia. This time around the score line will force us to remain focused. I’m confident that we will go through, but I’m still wary.
You’ve played in games between Barcelona-Real, PSV-Ajax. What does a PSG-OM represent for you?
It’s a big match which is always special. This year it will be interesting as we are only three points behind Paris. We have everything to gain.
Can it be compared to the “clasico” in Spain, for example?
A little yes but it’s not the same. In Barcelona, you have 100.000 people in the ground, in Madrid, they are 80.000. Everyone in Barcelona focuses on Madrid. Even four months before the derby, if Barcelona draw and Madrid lose, it’s good. As long as Barcelona are doing better than Madrid everyone is happy. In Marseille, the people don’t give that much attention to Paris.
The day after the match against Paris, the OM squad will be heading for Holland. On Wednesday they will be playing their UEFA Cup last 16 return leg at the Amsterdam ArenA, built especially for the Euro 2000.
"I love playing at the ArenA, it’s a beautiful stadium. When the weather is bad, they close the roof, there is everything football needs there. The stadium is built so that the sound, the singing of the supporters, remains inside the ground. On top of that, with PSV, I often played there and don’t remember ever losing. I only have good memories of a stadium where I also played with the National team. It’s good to be going back, even if I probably won’t be getting a warm welcome, but that’s football. The atmosphere there doesn’t intimidate me, on the contrary, it motivates me ".
What is the strength of PSG this season?
They started the season poorly but were able to turn things around. Good results brought confidence to the Paris squad. They also have Hoarau, he’s a good player who can really score, all of that builds up confidence within a group. Even if there style of play is not very good, Paris can win matches.
Are you all still thinking about the game earlier in the season at the Vélodrome?
We put in a good performance and lost 2-4, which was really tough to accept. That defeat really hurt us. We are all motivated to make up for that defeat. In big games like this anything can happen. At the time we were flying and Paris were having a rough time, and yet they won. The best side doesn’t always win a derby and that is what is interesting. These games are generally quite open and can swing either way.
Could the absence of Laurent Bonnart be a problem?
Laurent Bonnart hasn’t been injured in two seasons, so this is a big blow. But, Tyrone Mears is ready and just waiting for his chance. I don’t know how Erik Gerets will deal with the absence of Laurent, but it is up to Tyrone to grab the opportunity with both hands. He hasn’t played in many matches, it’s not easy for him, but he has a good mentality, he is always prepared to help out, is determined. You can see that in training, but to be at your best, you need competition. He works really hard, he is always at 200% in training, he even works out before and after the training sessions. There is nothing that anyone can reproach him of.
