After returning from international duty at the startof the week, the OM captain announces a "crucial" match on Sunday in an "incredible arena" that is the "Cauldron". "We’re lucky enough to be going there playing for the title, it’s fantastic" he adds.
Lorik, you weren’t able to play for Albania through suspension and were unable to help them against Denmark (3-0 defeat, with World Cup qualification now compromised), do you have any regrets?
A lot of regrets. I watched the match in Denmark on TV. We knew it was going to be difficult against a side like that who are top of the group and have players like Bendtner, Agger or Poulsen. It’s tough for us, especially as some of our first choice players were missing, it was pretty much impossible mission for us but we did our best.
One advantage is that you were able to get back to work at the Commanderie earlier than was expected …
If I’d had the choice I would have preferred to help out my country. But there is a good side to everything. I’ve been back from injury for over a month now and everything is going pretty well. So, despite the sadness at not being able to help out my compatriots, I was able to work here. The coach disposed of a few more players in order to prepare for Sunday’s match which will be crucial for us.
The squad is at full strength now, after the international break, is the match against Saint-Etienne firmly in everyone’s minds?
Steve still has to come back but the closer we get to the match we will be focusing more on the tactical details and how the side will be organised. That’s just a normal way of preparing for a game.
There are quite a few injuries within the OM squad at the moment, is that worrying?
It’s detrimental, with the final sprint home now on the horizon we will need everyone. We’re also in the UEFA Cup and will need as many available players as possible in order to deal with the matches we have coming up. All this is annoying and the coach is always distressed when we lose players in training. You just have to accept it as that is how football is.
"When a player is missing, there is another who can step in so that the standard does not drop
But the substitutes have stood up to be counted recently, that is one of the strengths of the side …
It has been like that before and is at the moment. It is something that is very important. But, for a club like OM, having a quality squad is just normal. When a player is missing, there is another who can step in so that the standard does not drop.
How are you preparing for, what looks to be, an electric match on Sunday against a Saint-Etienne side in the relegation zone?
It is going to be a very difficult and complicated match for us. They will be giving everything that they have because they are in danger of relegation. They have had time to prepare for the match during the break and we know that teams are always lying in wait for OM. It is going to be their match of the year. We’re used to that, but their ground is a fantastic place to play football and we’re lucky enough to be going there playing for the title, it’s fantastic.
Could the atmosphere at Saint-Etienne’s ground disadvantage you?
It’s a big plus point for them as their public are always present and behind the team. I’ve always loved supporters like that who do everything they can to support their club. As far as we are concerned it will be a pleasure and an honour to go and defend the colours of OM there, in Saint-Etienne or anywhere else for that matter.
What is the frame of mind like in the squad going into this final sprint home?
One thing is for sure, we’ll be playing nine finals. Each point will be important, at home and away, we cannot play the percentages now. We have to take the maximum amount of points and win as many matches as possible. We’re looking ahead, and we’ll see just where we finish up the season.
