On the scoresheet against Grenoble, Vitorino Hilton is savouring OM's first place in the L1 but is also staying focused on the UEFA Cup match against Donetsk, this Thursday at the Stade Vélodrome.
Arriving at OM from Lens in June 2008, Vitorino Hilton has had to wait 10 months before scoring his first goal in the L1 for Marseille. The player who had scored two goals per season in the L1 over four years, was relieved to finally score. «I hadn’t scored for quite a while. I managed to hit a good header which went in ». His goal was also a relief for his team-mates as the side was still under the menace of a possible Grenoble come back. «After this goal, OM’s second, we played with more freedom. At 1-0, Grenoble could have equalised on the counter attack. The second goal gave us a bit more confidence. We pushed on to score the third, then the fourth, goal».
Before all of that happened, OM had a tough time in the first half. «Grenoble came looking for a draw and we weren’t able to play our football as we kept losing the ball too quickly. In the second half we came out in a different frame of mind, that’s what made the difference ». One disappointment, for the Brazilian defender, was the goal conceded at the end of the match. «We shouldn’t concede goals like that in the last minute, even if we were four goals up » states Vitorino Hilton.
With this win and the draw between Lyon and Monaco (2-2), Olympique de Marseille have taken first place in the L1. But, Hilton and his team-mates are focusing on themselves. «We have to keep on winning without thinking about Lyon. We have to play them in May and if we beat them, it will have a big influence on the outcome of the league ».
On this Easter Monday, the Marseille squad is savouring this top spot but also thinking about the UEFA Cup return leg against Shakhtar Donetsk. «We’re going to get a good rest, as the trip to the Ukraine was very tiring. Against Grenoble it was difficult as we all had heavy legs, so we’re going to recuperate for Thursday. It was important to win this weekend in order to prepare for Thursday. If we manage to score three goals against Shakhtar but concede one like we did against Grenoble right at the death, we would be sick » warns the defender.
Beaten 2-0 in the first leg, OM know all about this Shakhtar Donetsk side, made up with a number of Vitorino Hilton’s compatriots. «They are youngsters, when I left Brazil they were still in the youth academies, but they are good players. They showed that in the first leg. Brandao warned us that they were a very good side».
Just like is manager, Vitorino Hilton is counting on the support of the Marseille public to turn things around on Thursday evening at the Stade Vélodrome. «I think that the public will be behind us for the full 90 minutes on Thursday, so that everyone will be happy at the end of the match. If we manage to score in the first twenty minutes it will give us a big boost and help us score more, but we must absolutely avoid conceding a goal ».
