At the end of the season which is still not decided, there is one player that has clearly marked the 2007-08 season. Mathieu Valbuena has made a name for himself that each footballer and supporter know now.
The recognition came on Sunday with a place in the League’s team of the year voted for by his peers and the winner of goal of the season voted for by the public. If the start of his career was complicated and now known to all, the « little guy » is savouring the honours poured on him. «I’ve come a long way. I remember when the coach first arrived and he threw me in for the game against Liverpool, it wasn’t that long ago.

The French team...
In the corner of his mind
This Sunday, Raymond Domenech will announce the list of players called up for the preparation for the Euro 2008. Called up for the last game, Mathieu Valbuena had to renounce through injury. He is still thinking about the Euro before the final decisions are made.
«We’re thinking about it, that’s for sure. I’m not concentrating on it even if I will be keeping an eye on the list this Sunday. I prefer concentrating on my club as OM really should be in the Champions League each year. If I’m in the list great, if I’m not I still have time ahead of me. It’s not a worry » he confides.

The coach has had a detemining role in my career so far as has José (Anigo) who believed in me even though I was playing as an amateur. Not many believed in me, he did and has also been there when times were difficult. I sometimes have trouble realising things but I’m keeping my feet on the ground as I know that the hardest is yet to come » he said, full of recognition, on Tuesday in front of the Press. The hardest, will be to build something in the long term but before all that, we still have something to finish this season, we have to beat Strasbourg and hope that Nancy don’t beat Rennes. Third place would make things just that bit better. «It’s our final week, it is a very important week when you consider what is at stake in our last game. We have to put everything we possibly can on our side», he announces. And then continued  : «We do not control the situation and are expecting a difficult game against a team that will be coming under no pressure at all as they are already relegated. They will want to show what they are capable of in front of 60.000 spectators. The coach has already warned us, Strasbourg will be coming without any complexes and it will not be a walk in the park.»
Even though a necessity, a win would not sort everything out as far as the standings are concerned but it would be a great way of saying goodbye to this public that has been fantastic this season. «If we finish in 4th place, of course we will be disappointed, as we have had opportunities to build a gap up. We didn’t manage it because of the games we lost at home. Thta’s one of the first reasons why we want to beat Strasbourg, so we can offer a last victory to our supporters.» Still hoping for more, why shouldn’t we believe? «In order for everything to finish up brighter, at around 22h30 OM will have to be in 3rd place in the League. In that case, it would be a great season personally and collectively.» A perfect ending.