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Ligue 1: the first 3 projects for Jorge Sampaoli at OM

2021-03-09T18:16:46.451Z


Called to the bedside of a deliquescent Marseille collective, the Argentinian technician, who will start on the bench this Wednesday, has many irons in the fe


The eyes are circled.

The eyes are already worried.

Jorge Sampaoli did not sketch the slightest smile during the photo shoot that followed his presentation press conference on Tuesday.

The Argentinian is lucid: his task is immense.

"El Pelado" (the bald) recovered Monday a team in full doubt, the day after a shameful elimination in the Coupe de France against fans of Canet-en-Roussillon, resident of National 2 (4th national division).

The situation is also complex in the league: OM, which is playing a late Ligue 1 match this Wednesday (7 p.m.) against Rennes, is eighth in the standings, very far from its initial objectives.

The Argentinean therefore has many irons in the fire.

Decryption.

Save the 2020-21 season by snatching a European qualification

The OM negotiated with the Regional Health Agency to obtain a shortening of the period of isolation of Jorge Sampaoli.

He was able to meet his team on Monday, a day earlier than expected.

It was essential to prepare for a crucial match against Rennes on Wednesday: the Bretons are direct rivals for fifth place, the last goal still achievable for the Marseillais.

"We must arrive as high as possible in the league," insists the new president Pablo Longoria.

"We will do everything to qualify for a European Cup, as long as it is mathematically possible," says Sampaoli.

For this, a victory against Rennes seems imperative.

“The situation is still atypical, recalls a relative of Jorge Sampaoli.

He only had two days to prepare for this match.

The practices were very tactical, with long video sessions.

"He especially worked on the organization because the team must change dynamics," says those around him.

Giving an offensive playing identity to OM

Sampaoli believes that the results will come back through the game. “My wish is to implement my playing philosophy. We have to project ourselves more forward rather than staying in our camp.

“His first training session was precisely focused on getting the ball out cleanly from Marseille's half of the field.

The Argentinian believes that his team should have possession, and, when they don't have the ball, put in intense pressure on pressing.

A style of play very different from the pragmatism of André Villas-Boas.

According to Pablo Longoria, Jorge Sampaoli should seduce the supporters.

“He is a coach with a lot of passion, a lot of energy and a playing philosophy that corresponds to what the city, the supporters and the club need.

"While they were still in negotiations, Pablo Longoria repeated several times to Jorge Sampaoli that he appreciated the fact that he is a coach with an" identity ".

The former coach of Chile will have to print his style quickly to prove that it was not just a beautiful speech reserved for job interviews.

Building a workforce capable of performing next season

Sampaoli and his staff signed for OM until June 2023. If the end of the season is obviously decisive, Longoria is also preparing for the 2021-22 exercise.

"Our goal is to qualify each year in the Champions League, to be stable in this competition," recalls the new president.

For this, Sampaoli and Longoria will have to rebuild a team this summer: twelve players are out of contract in June, including Florian Thauvin and Jordan Amavi.

The transfer window will be decisive and Longoria is already starting to work on the proposals he will make to the Argentine coach.

The latter also intends to rely on the young people of the training center.

Several of them participated in his first training on Monday.

This is also why Sampaoli was recruited by Marseille.

As one Olympian leader, a player trading enthusiast, confides, “he is a coach who gives value to a squad.

"

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-03-09

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