In beating Sochaux 4 goals to 2 on Sunday night at the Vélodrome, Olympique de Marseille put itself in the ideal league position. The OM players capitalised on the losses of direct rivals Toulouse and Lens, at the hands of Paris and Bordeaux respectively, to clinch 4th place just 1 point behind 3rd . “It’s really important for the club’s Champions League ambitions,” notes Taye Taiwo, guest on OMtv’s “Décrassage”

Franck Ribéry, Djibril Cissé and Samir Nasri. With goals and assists, the 3 France internationals constructed the OM victory in the second half. “Franck is very strong technically, and he’s really fast too. We have a good understanding on the left flank. I give him the ball and stay back to defend. Then he combines with the attackers,” explains the Nigerian defender.
Djibril Cissé scored against Sochaux his third goal in three home games, all in the space of 11 days. The OM striker hassles and harries the opposition defence until he finds a weakness, which he then exploits. “He has scored three goals in three games and, physically, it couldn’t have been easy, after injury he had. I’m happy for him when he scores, we even danced together in the dressing room after the match.”+
And Samir Nasri, set up by Djibril Cissé, scored OM’s third with his left foot.

The Marseillais put on a fantastic show for the fans for the third time since the qualification against Nantes for the final of the Coupe de France. And the fans loved it, packing out the Vélodrome once again. “Our fans push us along, because we know they come along to see us and not the other side. They motivate us and give us confidence.” .
Taye Taiwo will be counting once again on the support of the OM fans next Sunday in Monaco. “Playing there is almost like playing at the Vélodrome because there are always so many OM fans at the Stade Louis II. It’ll be a really important match in the race for a Champions League spot. We have to stay focused.”

The following week, OM will meet Sochaux again for the final of the Coupe de France at the Stade de France. And even though Albert Emon’s men may have taken a psychological advantage in beating the Doubistes in the league, in sporting terms, they will have to do it all over again in the final. “They are two different competitions. We have to stay focused because, despite our 4-2 league win, the final is yet to be played. But if we play like we did on Sunday night, as a team, we will win,” concludes Taye Taiwo.