Benoît Cheyrou accepted to give us a long interview at the start of this new season. In this second part of the interview, he speaks to us about OM's start to the season, the Champions League and the National side.
How would you judge OM’s start to the season?
Solid, rigourous without being spectacular. We’ve shown how strong we are, notably in the game against Bordeaux. In the other matches, we haven’t put in great performances but we have been able to score quickly and not concede (1). There have been some weaker moments but that is down to the fact that the players are still getting to know each other. But there has been a lot of solidarity and that is a good point.
The team seems to be stronger defensively, even though it is the sector that has changed the most over the summer. How do you explain that?
It is not the number of matches played together that shows the value. It isn’t just four defenders and a goalkeeper that take care of defensive play. The midfielders and forwards also take part in that task. Its the sum of the parts.
Inversely, the forward line, which was the best in the L1 last season, hasn’t changed but is not scoring …
It’s as I said before. It is not just the forwards who make the team score. The whole team takes part. I think the difference compared to last season is that maybe the team is more well balanced. I think we will score less goals this season, but we will also concede less as well.
"Whatever has happened, nothing has changed as far as our objectives are concerned "
Didier Deschamps often states that the attacking play has to be worked on, have you sensed any changes recently?
It will come with playing together and working hard in training. It is what is the most difficult to put in place. There are still details to be worked on, but the more we play together the better we will get to know one another.
Do you think that OM can win the title this season?
Of course. It’s difficult to take stock after one month of competition but whatever has happened, nothing has changed as far as our objectives are concerned.
Do you think your main contendors will be Bordeaux and Lyon, or do you think there will be other sides?
The big clubs are still Lyon and Bordeaux, even if Paris have started well. There are other sides that have started well like Montpellier, but Lyon and Bordeaux will be our biggest opponents.
In the Champions League: "We will have to give our best shot without over or under estimating our opponents "
Do you think that the L1 will be as tight as it was last season?
It’s too early to say.
The next match is on Saturday away to Le Mans (19h00), how do you see this game going?
It’s going to be complicated. They are always a tactically solid and well disciplined side. They are always difficult to play against.
The Champions League will also be starting soon, is playing against Real and Milan something you have dreamed about?
They are two massive clubs, dream teams. We will try and fight with the ammunitiion that we have and we won’t be going there as whipping boys. We will have to give our best shot without over or under estimating our opponents. We are aware of our potential and we will give our all.
"My only preoccupation is to play well for my club without always asking myself if I am going to be called up to the National team or not "
Will it be special for you, measuring up to players like Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo or Ronaldinho?
Of course. When you are a kid you dream of playing in matches like this, against teams and players of that calibre. I know I am going to have a great time. And progress, because you do more in Champions League matches than in the L1.
Is the objective still a qualification for the last 16?
Yes, we want to go through. We aren’t playing to finish third or fourth in the group. Our objective is to go as far as possible in all the competitions we will play. The first step in the Champions League will be to get through the group stage, even if it will be complicated.
To finish off, France are currently playing in the qualifying matches for the World Cup and you have still not been called up, is it still something that you think about?
I’m often asked that, even hassled about it. My only preoccupation is to play well for my club without always asking myself if I am going to be called up to the National team or not. I’m just focusing on playing the matches with OM and if I’m not called up then that means there are better players than me for my position.
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Benoît Cheyrou
«I've always tried to stay natural» (1/2)
Benoît Cheyrou accepted to give us a long interview at the start of this new season. In this first part, the OM player of the month for August speaks about his "award" and his status as an "old head" at the heart of the OM squad. Cliquez ici
