The fullback is appreciating OM's good run of form and a qualification for the semi-final of the Coupe de la Ligue, by defeating Lille on Wednesday, would be very beneficial according to him.

Laurent, whereabouts does the Coupe de la Ligue stand in the clubs priorites?
Our priority is the league, but we are involved in all competitions. We proved against Trélissac that we were capable of putting in serious performances, that we weren’t neglecting anything, it was the same against Saint-Étienne. All teams are in the same situation. It’s up to the coach to make his choices, if he wants to rotate the squad in order to allow players to rest, as it will be difficult for a player to take part in 10 matches in a row. There will have to be changes, but that is not down to me! We’ll see what happens.

How do you see Wednesdays Coupe de la Ligue quarter final against Lille going?
We’re expecting a tough match. Rudy Garcia has stated it. They made a lot of changes and were eliminated from the Coupe de France but I think they will have wanted to go through, at the same time knowing that they were preparing for this Coupe de la Ligue match as it is an important competition for them. For us as well! In just a few matches you can win a title and qualify for Europe. That is something that Lille cannot neglect. It’s going to be a very difficult match against a side that has made enormous progress, especially mentally. They always had the quality, but now they are showing great collective strength. They are capable of beating any team in this league. It is going to be very difficult. We will have to be ready for a tough combat throughout the whole 90 minutes.

Lille are direct opponents for OM in the L1, could this match have an effect on the league campaign?
No, it’s a one off match. There is the phenomenon «cup» : either you win or you’re out. We have to carve out this winning mentality through these cup competitions. Three days later we are back playing in the league, as will they. It’s an isolated match that we will have to win, that’s all.

A defeat just before heading off to play Montpellier would be the last thing that you want …
We aren’t considering defeat. We are preparing for this match to win it. We aren’t thinking about the two solutions : either we lose, or we win. The only solution is «to win», and afterwards we’ll move on to the next game. This isn’t the first time we play every three days. We aren’t considering those types of questions.

Is it difficult playing so often, especially as things are going to get worse?
No, when we win everything is better. We haven’t had enough of winning. When you are in a positive spiral, everything is beneficial. The coach has been clever enough to change is tactics. He didn’t take us a way before the match against Bordeaux, it broke our rhythm up and it is often better to not go to the hotel on the day before a match. It’s not by doing o that we automatically prepare better for the game. We had two days off after the match against Le Mans, something that hadn’t happened since the 2nd of January. It felt good not having to come in to the Commanderie, even if it is a great complex, I prefer staying at home. You have to know how to clear your head when you can.