With the injury to Julien Rodriguez, Ronald Zubar and Renato Civelli are together again as OM’s central defensive pairing. Having already spent some time side by side this season, they should adapt quickly.
The match against Lens was still in its early stages when Julien Rodriguez signalled to the bench that he needed to be subbed off. Suffering a thigh strain, the former Glaswegian was replaced by Renato Civelli, effectively re-forming, along with Ronald Zubar, OM’s previous central defensive pairing. “We got straight back into doing what we do best. In the upcoming matches, we will re-establish our solidity and our old complicity,” said Zubar in praise of his Argentine team-mate.
And despite the defeat that arose from a dubious penalty decision, the defensive pairing didn’t show even the slightest sign of weakness against Lens.
Called up again for this Sunday’s match, the Zubar/Civelli pairing remains the most-played central defensive pairing for OM. Its record of 7 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in 13 L1 matches is more than respectable. OM conceded 12 goals in these 13 games.
Their good understanding has been honed while in training at the Commanderie. “With Renato, we always work together at training every day. He and I talk a lot. The fact of having this understanding off the field puts us in good stead for when we actually take the field together,” says Zubar. The defender from Guadeloupe discusses the excellent team spirit that holds sway in the OM rearguard. “Renato isn’t having the 
easiest time with Cesar as he isn’t playing much at the moment. We’re there to help each other and that’s exactly what we do. But when it comes down to it, the manager has to make his choices. I’m happy for Renato, he has found his feet really quickly as well as rejoining the first team and getting some game time.”
Called up to play alongside each other for at least 2 weeks (the estimated time of Rodriguez’s absence), the 2 men have a huge task ahead of them on Sunday at Gerland, home of the Lyonnais, who are still stunned after being knocked out of the Champions League by Roma. “It’s really satisfying to be back in the team, it’s more important than playing against Lyon,” admits Renato Civelli, “and anyway I have only played against Lyon once and I won (1-2 in the Coupe de France semi-final at Gerland).” A good luck charm?
A. Emon: “Renato conducts himself impeccably”
Asked about the return of Civelli, Albert Emon proved happy with the level of play and above all the attitude of his defender. “Since the arrival of Julien Rodriguez, Renato has conducted himself impeccably, just like Bostjan César. They are two formidable lads. Even though everything wasn’t perfect against Lens, Renato has returned really well to the game. I think he has even improved during this period. Despite a lack of game time, he has compensated with immense efforts in training,” explains the OM manager.
“That shows that I worked really well in training, but you have to play matches, that’s what counts,” concludes Civelli.
