Since his return from the ANC, Modeste M'bami, alongside Benoît Cheyrou has been putting in some top notch performances. He is an important part of the OM mechanism that wants to finish the season like a cannonball.

Modeste, does the victory over Lyon prove that you are capable of taking third place in the League?
We played really well during the game, but it’s not new, we’ve shown promise before. Against Lorient for example..
I think that the game against Metz is almost our most important game of the season.

When you look at recent performances, do you have any regrets about how the season has gone?
Of course. When you play at this level and you are playing better than the leaders, well it’s clear we could have done better than third place. But now we have to give everything we have in order to qualify for the Champions League.

With only 6 games to go are you really into the final straight?
Yes and that’s why we will have to play the game against Metz as the most important of the season. Lots of things can happen as of this weekend. We work hard all week to make sure things are right on Saturday.

Some say that the game against Metz will be more difficult than the game against Lyon …
It could be more complicated as we can be our own worst enemies. But I have faith in everybody. The coach will be pushing us hard this week.Everyone knows that the club needs this qualification.

Metz will want to finish of their season in style against OM …
Yes, over the last few games they have been playing really well, they managed to get a draw away to Lens, equalising in the last minute.
But we have it in our heads to do a good run of victories right up to the end of the season. That starts against Metz. We will show them respect, we will be serious in our play but we are going there to take all three points. We will be very determined.

"If I’m in the team, I must be playing well "

The long distance duel with Nancy is well and truly underway. Will the slightest error be fatal?
Yes, for either team. But we’re going into games looking to win them and I hope Nancy break down before us. We will have to keep the pressure on them for that to happen. They have to feel us breathing down their necks.

Against Lyon, Eric Gerets used stories about the supporters in order to motivate the team. Are you going for third place for them?
Of course we are doing it for them, but also for the club and all the people who work there … And for us as we all want to play in the Champions League. I’m confident that the coach will be behind us all the way and everyone in the squad will give everything they have. I’m also confident that my teammates are aware just how much we need this qualification.

How are you feeling personally? How do you feel about your season?
I will analyse my season when it is over. At the moment everything is ok. If I’m in the team, I must be playing well. Not everyone makes the starting line-up. And we’ve already seen that if someone is not playing well, the coach will not hesitate replacing them for the good of the team.
But at the moment I’m playing so the coach must be satisfied with my performances. I’m going to give everything I have, right up to the end.