In the second edition of OMtv's newest programme, Sébastien Piétri and Laurie Samama welcomed Charles Kaboré, Eric Di Méco, Jean-Marc Ferreri and the club Media Director, Dominique Grimault, to look back in detail at OM's victory over Lille. Here are some extracts.
What is the analysis of the match?
In this rendez-vous in front of an audience, which will probably become a classic on OMtv the day after matches, the shared feeling was of the importance of being able to win despite not everything being easy, notably at the end. The guest of the day, Charles Kaboré, admits : «Things were a little more difficult in the second half. We suffered at the back and had a tendency to fall back. But we knew that it would be difficult against Lille, we were expecting it and the main things is that we won.» A feeling that is shared by Eric Di Méco, who continues: «Last year, we would have lost this type of match or dropped two points, and there is the importance of this result.» For Dominique Grimault, who saw «a lot of similarities with the match against Grenoble», the statistics say a lot. «That’s two matches and two victories without conceding a goal and we are the only team in that situation after two games. It’s quite reassuring» he states.
But OM did suffer and Jean-Marc Ferreri targets some of the causes: «It’s paradoxal but it’s difficult to evaluate at 11 against 10 (after the sending off of Debuchy of Lille) and the entries of Gervinho and Hazard did a lot of harm.» It begs the question, why were the Belgian and the Ivory Coast player not in Rudi Garcia’s starting line-up ? For Dominique Grimault, who spoke to the Lille coach, Hazard «performed terribly during the season opener» while Ferreri feels that Lille had «privileged the physical aspect with De Melo and Aubameyang.»
A conquering midfield?
If the great performance of Brandao was highlighted by the panel, they also particularly appreciated the formidable play of the OM midfield. The OM midfield pleased and, for Eric Di Méco, Fabrice Abriel in particular. «Everyone is discovering Abriel who isn’t a star but the supporters will soon get to know him. He’s the sort of player who is liked at OM. He fights hard on the pitch and is a good footballer» declared the former OM full-back who knows a lot on the subject.
And if Dominique Grimault esteems that «OM are not ready just yet but will be in a couple of weeks», he also spoke of the midfield’s impact: «Abriel was in good form and Cheyrou has been the best performer since the start of the season. On top of that Cissé came in to replace Mbia, just two hours before the kick-off, I am very reassured by OM’s midfield this season.»
Ben Arfa in the starting eleven?
A substitute against Grenoble, the OM midfielder was in the starting line-up on Sunday at La Mosson, at the right of an attacking trident. As spritely as ever and with fantastic technique, Hatem played in the decisive pass for Brandao’s goal. «We all know how Hatem can play and he maybe doesn’t have an equal in France, judges the OM media director, but I still feel that he is only at 50% of what he can give to OM. With the confidence that Didier Deschamps will give him, he will quickly become a strong part of the team.» This opinion was shared by Charles Kaboré who smiles: «I hope that he will at 100% for the forthcoming matches, if he is we will win them all because he is an excellent player who can pick up the ball and dribble past anyone.»
Rennes, the first big test?
Easy victors of Boulogne (3-0) on the opening day of the season, Rennes are on the back of a good draw against Nice (1-1) on Sunday. And with OM heading to the Stade de la route de Lorient next Saturday, the specialists of the «match in questions» warn. «They are a team who are very physical. They are going to knock us about but we can give as good as we get» notes Eric Di Méco while Jean-Marc Ferreri targets the Breton attack and its’ «formidable trio Sow-Gyan-Bangoura.» For Dominique Grimault: «It will be a highly disputed match, which will be tight. It is perhaps the first big challenge for Didier Deschamps and OM.»
