Europa League or no Europa League?
This is the question for Marseille when it comes time to find Olympiakos at the Vélodrome.
A Greek club against whom the Olympians had started their return to the Champions League on the wrong foot by losing in the last moments on a goal from Koka (90th).
A setback which, unfortunately, called others behind since OM then only turned the other cheek to bow heavily at home against a Manchester City team (0-3) who was not then hardly shining, before suffering a double slap from Porto (3-0, 0-2).
That is to say four defeats which "allowed" the Marseillais to beat the record of losses in a row in the queen of continental competitions (in its modern version since 1992) with 13. Which made André Villas-Boas say a bit disillusioned: "We have been miserable so far in the Champions League."
"The objective now is to regain victory in the Champions League, it is fundamental for us."
Alvaro Gonzalez
However, all is not yet lost on the European scene for OM.
If the ambition of qualifying for the round of 16 of the competition has obviously flown against Porto, the Marseille club can still hope to play the round of 16 of the Europa League as a consolation prize.
A competition that inspires much better memories in the people of Marseille with a place of finalist during the 2017-2018 season.
And even if the conclusion was also painful - 3-0 defeat against Atlético Madrid by a certain Antoine Griezmann, author of a double -, between losing in the final and in the group stage, pride is not the even.
An honor that Alvaro Gonzalez absolutely wants to rediscover, as he explained last weekend during an interview with Canal Football Club: "I believe a lot in the team, I think we have a good team. , and in the Champions League we just did not measure up.
The objective now is to regain victory in the Champions League, it is fundamental for us. "
>> READ ALSO: At the bottom of the hole in the Champions League, OM have dug further
>> READ ALSO: Thauvin, Payet, Benedetto and OM are (finally) the show
Fundamental on the mental aspect, but perhaps less on the sporting level.
Indeed, the question arises of the ability of the Marseillais to play the blow to the full on several fronts at the same time, knowing that the Coupe de France will resume its rights in early 2021 and that OM still have two games late - against Lens and Nice - to its calendar, which already promises to be insane.
Not to mention the fact of playing on Thursday, which would not fail to have an impact on the results in League 1, where the battle for the podium promises to be fierce with Lille, Lyon, Monaco or even Montpellier.
These last three clubs which do not have to worry about Europe.
Moreover, before receiving Porto, Villas-Boas himself had expressed doubts about the interest for his team to be transferred to this Europa League.
As if, in this competition, there were more blows to take than prestige to gain.
"If we fall in the Europa League, we will have to do better."
Andre Villas-Boas
But the Portuguese coach then backpedaled a bit, declaring: “If we have to compete in this competition, obviously we will do it thoroughly because it is the prestige of OM on the European scene.
It would also appease us to do something in the Europa League after suffering in the Champions League.
So far we have been too naive.
For me, it's a big experience, and a real failure in my career.
If we fall in the Europa League, we will have to do better. "
But above all, Marseille absolutely wants to avoid a 14th consecutive setback, especially against a formation of Olympiakos within reach.
Even if Villas-Boas, like a scalded cat, wanted to be cautious when it came time to find the Hellenic team: “Olympiakos are a good opponent, experienced in Europe.
They have quick players on the sides and a good center forward with El-Arabi.
It will be a tough, tough game.
But this is our last chance to continue in Europe. ”
Unless OM opts for a jump ball, which is also possible.
Namely putting an end to his shameful series of 13 losses in a row by resuming success, but with a score - 2-1 or 3-2 for example - which would leave the advantage in the event of a tie to Olympiakos .
And as Florian Thauvin and others will travel to Manchester City for the last day, such a scenario would perhaps not have anything catastrophic for the Olympian formation, which would save honor while avoiding a Europa League which we feel that many within it do not dream of it.
Read also
Champions League rankings
