Having scored against Nice, Boulogne and Saint-Etienne, Mathieu Valbuena is in great form but before the big match against Auxerre, he is serene and is putting things into perspective. "Even if the result is negative, we will still be masters of our own destiny".
Do you think that a victory over Auxerre would be synonymous with the title?
No, because mathematically, even if we win, we will not be champions. If we manage to win, we would take a step towards our objective. A big step. It’s an important match but not a final as nothing will be decided after the encounter. If we lose, we will still be masters of our own destiny, as it would be if we draw.
Will the pressure be on Marseille?
The coach has been clear with us, there is no use in putting useless pressure on ourselves. We’re in front, so we should not be under pressure. As the coach has said, "nobody is going to die after the match". We have to start the matches as we have the habit of doing, maybe even better because last Sunday we suffered. We know how Auxerre play and they are not easy to outmaneuver.
Are you surprised by this team and their place in the table?
Yes of course! Nobody expected Auxerre to be there with Bordeaux and Lyon behind. They are a consistent and efficient. They have had a good run and are able to keep up their performances. If they are there today, there is a reason for it.
Which players should be watched closely?
Pedretti is a player that can bring other players into the game. Auxerre are a side that play quickly on the counter attack, they are efficient with Niculae and Jelen up front. They have a number of good individualities. They are strong defensively and concede few goals. They put three goals past Toulouse who are strong defensively. We are expecting a strong, physical match.
Is this the style of match that you like to play in?
We are in the final sprint home and have started a run of victories. We have four games to go and the closer we get to the end the more exciting the matches are.
Is the statute of title hopefuls hard to assume?
I don’t think so because we approach the games just as we did before hand. We are in a comfortable situation and we mustn’t put any extra pressure on ourselves as it would not help.
If we win against Auxerre, we wil have made a big step towards the title. In that case everything will be decided at home against Rennes in front of our supporters, but we mustn't think about that and just concentrate on the match in Auxerre which will not be easy
Auxerre will be under more pressure than you as a draw would be enough for OM …
Auxerre probably didn’t expect to be where they are. Auxerre will be obliged to play, but we wiull also have to play with our qualities. We know the move quickly on the counter attack, so we won’t do anything stupid.
Does the fact that you will be playing for the title at home to Rennes in front of your supporters delight you?
Of course! We play matches to win them. Sometimes we have to try and not lose them but we are competitors. If we win against Auxerre, we will have made a big step towards the title. In that case everything would be decided at home in front of our supporters, but we mustn’t think about that and first of all concentrate on the match in Auxerre which will not be easy.
Mbia has put in great performances since he moved to the centre of the defence. He is intelligent, technically strong aand puts in a lot of physical impact. In training I try to avoid him (laughs)
The OM defence is holding up well at the moment, with a good balance …
It’s true, they are solid. For us, up front or in the midfield, it’s very reassuring. But, to make things easier for them, we have to defend well as the first defenders are the forwards. We have to position ourselves well, that reassures them. Our defence is reassuring, but they also need reassuring. They are doing good work, but we are all concerned.
How are they with you in training?
Stéphane Mbia is a really nice guy. He has put in great performances since he moved to the centre of defence. He is intelligent, technically strong and he puts in a lot of physical impact. In training I try and avoid him (laughs). Souleymane Diawara is a lot more relaxed in training, sometimes he lets you past, on the other hand he puts everything into the match. They like the struggle and the combativity.
