After a fortnight’s break, Gaël Givet is adamant that OM “must win” at the Vélodrome against Lens, having prepared well with “rigour and good humour”.
Gaël, you’re taking on Lens looking for your first win at the Vélodrome this season…
We’ve been looking for it for a while, so I hope it comes… Now, given our place on the table, we quite simply have to win. We know a lot is expected of us in this match and we plan to step up. The important thing is to keep our minds on our own game and not our opposition’s scenario. Whether it’s Lens, Lyon or Paris, we have to take the 3 points no matter what. This match happens to be against Lens and we’ll have to take the game very seriously prepare well.
A weakened defence
With Jacques Faty still suffering from his adductor injury and Taye Taiwo suspended, the solutions in defence for Eric Gerets will be limited against Lens. With Ronald Zubar, Julien Rodriguez, Gaël Givet and Laurent Bonnart available – even Jacques Faty should he recover – the manager could call on some of the younger players such as Hassoun Camara, who produces a splendid performance against Bastia in the friendly match last weekend.
How are the team’s spirits after this international break?
Rather good, really. We had a fortnight to work hard with the new manager and it went really well. Everyone worked well, in good humour and with a lot of rigour as well. We’re ready to listen and we’re all pulling in the same direction. That can only pay off on the field – and I hope it does so against lens on Sunday.
Eric Gerets’ plan seems to be top simplify your game. Can you confirm that?
Yes, but when we’re attacking, we have to be able to take risks. The manager has drummed this into us. At any rate, the first thing he asks for is that we start by moving the ball around well, playing simply. We’ve shown in training that we can do it and we showed it in Liverpool as well. The goal now is to do it in the league.
