Goalscorer against Auxerre, Mamadou Samassa has, little by little, found his place in the OM squad. "With the time my team-mates have come to know me and we have created automatisms" he says.
Uncertain on the Thursday before the match against Auxerre, Mamadou Samassa was finally able to take his place in the starting line-up. «When Baky got injured, I was told I would pass a fitness test on Friday. I had some intensive treatment and was able to start the match » he explains
Having also started the game against Besançon, he was was again in the first eleven at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium. «It’s been a long time since I’ve played two matches in a row and I think they went well. I got into the game slowly, but the pitch wasn’t in the best state. My goal did me a lot of good. I always try and give my best and I’m still working hard».
At the front of the attack with Mathieu Valbuena behind him in support, alongside Bolo Zenden and Karim Ziani, the OM forward line managed to score twice. «We linked up well together. They also tried to put in as many crosses as possible. I wasn’t all alone and I tried to combine with the others ». After his goal, Marseille had to deal with wave after wave of attacks from Auxerre, but Steve Mandanda once again pulled off a number of world class saves. «Without Steve Mandanda, I don’t know if we would have won or at least if we wouldn’t have conceded a goal. At 1-0, it was incredible what he did, he was in great form on Saturday. Ath the moment, Steve is number 1».
Mathieu Valbuena : "Well deserved "
"He received so much criticism recently that we all felt bad for him. The criticism was really without justification, nasty and useless! That’s why we were all delighted when he scored. It was deserved as he is someone that we all appreciate, he is full of respect and rather than criticise him it would be good if he could be encouraged as he is still young. He must, just like the rest of us, continue working in order to progress and I include myself in that ".
Even if football requires you to always ask yourself questions, Mamadou Samassa was smiling on Sunday afternoon during training. He was, legitimately, satisfied with his performance, especially as he has had some rough times since his arrival in August 2008. «My last few matches were not great, even poor. I will continue to work hard, what is important is the faith that the staff have in me. I want to be decisive. I’ve been here six months now, with the time my team-mates have come to know me and we have created automatisms» he states.
After his goal against Auxerre, he celebrated with Erik Gerets. «The coach has shown great faith in me since I arrived at the club, which hasn’t been the case for everyone. I wanted to share my joy with him and thank him at the same time. He makes his own mind up and bases his decisions on what goes on in training ».
Mamadou Samassa is one option up front for the OM coach who needs as many as he can in order to get back to winning ways at home where Marseille have not been victorious since the 6th of December (OM 2-1 Nice). «At home, when the public is behind us, the push us forward, it’s incredible. But when we are in front, we don’t really know what to do, attack or defend. Away from home, we are much more free, we try not to concede and hit our opponents on the break ».
