The OM manager didn't take much informaton from this first pre-season friendly match. As far as Didier Deschamps was concerned, the most important thing was "to put the players in a competitive situation".
What did you make of this first run out?
It was important to finish off the first stage of preparation in a good way. We’ve worked hard, often with three sessions per day, ending it up with 45 minutes of play for everyone was a good idea. It’s always good to win. The side that started the match was better, but it is always easier to start the game. The second half was more complicated. We didn’t pick up any injuries and certain players are » in better form than others. Finishing off these ten days with a match was for the best.
The main thing was to have everyone involved …
Yes, because what is important is the work we put in on a daily basis. Next week will also be important as far as our workload is concerned. We couldn’t take any risks but it was important to put the players in a competitive situation. We have to progress at the right pace though, were just at the start of preparation.
It was the first match for Azpilicueta…
He is present, he is working to get to know his partners, to be able to communicate. He has a very explosive, pacy playing style. We need to give him the time to adapt.
The players combined well at times. In less than two weeks of work the automatisms are already there …
They are there in the relationship between Lucho and Niang notably. They need to develop into more than automatisms. The second half was a little more laborious. I don’t think that we even had one chance. Things need to come from the players who were present last season. When you have a relationship like that between a midfielder and a striker, it gives you perfect timing between the passer and receiver.
OM did not concede, is that also a satisfaction?
They hit the post a couple of times but Andrade made some great saves. The result at this stage of our preparation is not important, I’m more interested in the content. We had both. From the moment you are in a match it is competition. They must have fun, but we are there to win.
Are you satisfied with this first training camp?
Yes, the mood was good as was the desire to work. The holidays were good but now there is a necessity to be humble and show the desire to put in a lot of determination and conviction. I still missing six internationals who will arrive back later, but that allows me to take a look at the youngsters. It will be good for us to have the final squad on the 31st of August.
Jordan Ayew took his responsibilities by asking the captain if he could take the first penalty. That shows that he is maturing …
He already scored an important goal last season which allowed us to beat Lorient. He is still young, last season he spent most of his time in the CFA 2, but he has a lot of quality. It’s better that it is a striker who takes the penalty. He trained with us almost all the time in the 2009-2010 season, he is not discovering the group now. He can still progress a lot. Abedi Pelé is lucky, he has three sons playing at the top level.
How would you explain certain angry gestures towards the end of the match?
Everyone is quite tired, some can deal with it better than others. At one point we were less in control and it can cause you to get annoyed.
