Two days before an OM-PSG which supporters from both camps are waiting for, but also football fans everywhere, the OM captain is showing great determination.
What is your frame of mind like before the Clasico?
We’re really motivated as we want to make up for the matches againts Toulouse and Lyon. We aren’t losing, but we aren’t winning either. It would be good to get into a series of wins, and this starting Friday against Paris.
What do you fear from this team?
They are solid. In defence they are strong and have good forwards like Erding, Luyindula, Giuly. They are a good side. It won’t be easy but we really want to win.
Compared to the original date for the match, what state are OM in?
On the 25th of October we felt good and were focused. The postponement hurt us as we all really wanted to play this match. We were disappointed, agitated, but since we knew the match would be played on Friday, we cannot wait to be then. Today, we have completely forgotten the postponement.
What is the objective for this match against Paris?
We have to take the points. We drew against Toulouse even though we created a lot of chances, and against Lyon we should have won but we made some mistakes which allowed them to get back into the match. We really want to make up for that with a great performance against Paris. We have to wipe ou the errors of the past and take all three points.
As captain, will you have anything special to say?
We don’t need to talk too much for this type of match. Against Paris, Lyon or in the Champions League, there is no need for long speeches. The whole team is concerned, they are motivated whether they have already played in a Clasico or if it is their first time. You can see it in training, everyone wants to play in this match.
What does an OM-PSG mean to you?
Quite frankly, three points… It doesn’t matter who we are up against. We need points for a placing in the tablle. So, the only thing that interests me is a victory.
A victory is necessary to stay in touch with Lyon or Bordeaux?
Against Lyon, for 80 minutes, we proved that we are good enough to be at the top and can play for one of the top three places. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the match in Lyon, which we could so easily have done. It would have allowed us to close the gap between us and Bordeaux. It didn’t happen. On Friday against Paris we will have another chance to get closer to the summit. We cannot fall further behind by losing this match. We have to take a maximum amount of points at home.
