OM's back to the wall.
After two defeats against Olympiakos (0-1) and Manchester City (0-3), the Olympians must bring something back from Porto on Tuesday (9 p.m.), during the third day of the Champions League.
"We no longer have room for maneuver," confirms Dimitri Payet at a press conference.
You have to take points here.
This is our last chance to think about qualifying. ”
Andre Villas-Boas, he emphasizes that this is "one of (their) last two chances to dream of a qualification", remembering that Marseille must face his "club of heart", that of his city native, twice in a row.
The two teams will meet again during the fourth round, after the international break, at the Vélodrome.
Defeat in Greece hurts
One thing is certain: the Olympians have "this obligation towards (themselves) and the supporters to do something different in terms of the state of mind, the animation and the desire that (their) may have failed against City ”, as noted by“ AVB ”, impatient to see if“ his ”OM“ can offer something else in terms of the quality of play ”.
Payet, he does not forget to stress that "City is built to go to the end, it is a level above".
And it is especially the backhand in Piraeus, with this goal in the last minutes, which remains through his throat: “This is the one that should not be lost.
We are disappointed for both matches, but a little more about the Olympiakos one ”.
The international tricolor also recalls that OM had "not played the Champions League for six" and that "some players are discovering it.
We have to learn quickly but we cannot deny it. "
It was during the 2013-14 season, with six defeats.
"Criticism is part of the game, you have to know how to accept it and question yourself"
Dimitri Payet
And to add, about the criticisms which fall from all sides on Olympique de Marseille: "Criticism is part of the game. When you are a little less good, you have to know how to accept it and question yourself.
I do it personally.
I know that there is only work to be more efficient, more decisive.
We were not flamboyant in the game but you have to know how to win anyway.
We work a lot to improve. ”
The former Stéphanois also does not want the supporters: "With zero points in two matches, the supporters are entitled to expect something else.
U.S. too.
We are aware that a lot more needs to be done.
Because it's a demanding competition, and it demands that we all be at our best. ”
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Recall that Payet had not started against City, choice of Andre Villas-Boas, who had favored a pattern tailored to counter and try to take advantage of the spaces against.
“I like playing this kind of game, so I was disappointed not to play this one.
The coach had implemented a strategy, and you have to respect your choices. ”
Sad record in sight?
To see if he will be on the meadow Wednesday evening, in Portugal.
A match that could see OM equal a sad record: beaten in their last 11 outings in C1, the Phocéens are only a setback from the historic mark of Anderlecht, 12 consecutive defeats in the most prestigious cup. 'Europe.
“We don't want to go down in history in a negative way,” promises Villas-Boas.
Payet is well aware of this issue, but does not want to lose sight of the essential.
“Afterwards, we especially want to take points to continue the European adventure.
We will have to take points at all costs, ”he says.
In this group C (the classification here), Manchester City is in the lead with six points, ahead of Porto, Olympiakos (3) and therefore Marseille (0).
The Marseille group without Nagatomo in Porto
Andre Villas-Boas has an almost complete group to challenge Porto on Tuesday (9 p.m.) in the Champions League.
Only one absent in the ranks of Marseille, the Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo, who is not part of the group unveiled on Monday on the eve of the meeting.
The Marseille group
:
Mandanda, Pelé, Ngapandouetnbu - Alvaro, Perrin, Sakai, Amavi, Caleta-Car, Balerdi - Kamara, Rongier, Khaoui, Sanson, Strootman, Payet, Thauvin, Cuisance, Gueye, Radonjic - Aké, Germain, Benedetto, Luis Henrique.
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