The "Grantatakan", a recurring subject of discussion and debate for a long time on the Canebière.
And despite scoring 20 goals in 32 appearances so far this season, having netted 10 in 16 appearances in 2021-22, Arkadiusz Milik has failed to silence them.
Especially since, despite his CV, Jorge Sampaoli does not necessarily consider him a potential holder, a question of profile, sometimes preferring Bamba Dieng, Cédric Bakambu or … Dimitri Payet.
The former gunner from Naples, who also has to deal with a sometimes capricious physique and (too) regular physical glitches, was also moved last February, ensuring "
not to understand certain things
", and in particular the management of his trainer.
“
As a centre-forward, in the last third of the field, he is top.
But he looks more at the goal than the game. In the connections, there is work to be done, looking for free partners, finding spaces, knowing how to occupy areas
, ”explained the former Argentine coach.
Suddenly, Milik did not take too much risk by evoking a possible tenure this Thursday (9 p.m.), against Feyenoord, in the semi-final return of the Europa League Conference: “
If I play, and it's always the coach's decision, I'm 100% ready.
There have been great attackers at OM but I always focus on myself, the idea of improving my game. If I play, I will try to help the team reach the final.
The most important thing is always the team.
»
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A team that runs several hares at the end of the season, second place in the Ligue 1 standings (and the ticket to the Champions League that goes with it) and this C4 to which Sampaoli “
gives a lot of importance
”.
Substitute in the league but holder in this "small" European Cup, Steve Mandanda is undoubtedly the most motivated of the Marseillais at the idea of overthrowing the Rotterdam club and remounting the goal behind the first leg (3-2) , but all his little comrades are too.
Especially since the Marseille club has not won anything since the Coupe de la Ligue 2012. An eternity.
At fault against Lyon, savior against Feyenoord?
And Arek Milik?
He has everything to gain.
Especially after an “Olympico” during which he especially shone by… his clumsiness in front of the cage of Anthony Lopes (0-3 defeat against OL).
"
We are human beings, normal people and so we make mistakes, it's part of the game. As a striker, if I miss chances, the best thing is to have the possibility to play straight away afterwards to have the opportunity to score, to find a good mood
, ”said the Polish international striker (62 caps, 16 goals), Wednesday at a press conference.
And to continue:
Mistakes are normal, but you always have to move forward.
I have no doubts, neither about my qualities, nor about anything in fact.
I make sure to do my best and help the team reach the final.
I trust the team and myself.
“It must be said that at 28 and after passing through Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, the native of Tychy is armored.
This is also not the time to doubt: "
It's the most important part of the season so we have to continue and hang on
," he said.
One thing is certain: with or without Milik in the eleven, OM will have to do better than in the first leg, in Rotterdam.
In terms of results obviously, but also of content.
"
We made mistakes on the first leg and I hope we will do much better (Thursday), that we can win
", hammers the number 9 of OM, affirming that "
it will be a different match .
In the first half, they had pressed us very high from the start, they tried to take the depth.
But that will be another game.
We are ready.
We learn from our mistakes.
It's still football, we don't know what's going to happen, but I'm confident.
With us, everything is possible and I am convinced that we have a good chance of passing
“, he says again.
Even if the north bend will be closed, the Vélodrome should indeed push its players, as the fiery Dutch supporters did at De Kuip.
They will be 3000 in Marseille.
It's a special match for me, because it's a semi-final but also because it's Feyenoord opposite
Arkadiusz Milik
The atmosphere in Rotterdam should not have surprised Milik, he is the former player of Ajax Amsterdam.
He wore the colors of the club from the Dutch capital between 2014 and 2016 (47 goals, 75 matches).
However, the rivalry between the two clubs is well known ... "
It's a special match for me, because it's a semi-final but also because it's Feyenoord opposite
", he confirmed without to hide.
It is up to him to show the way to his young teammates this Thursday, with Payet, Mandanda and others.
At least if Jorge Sampaoli calls on him.
“
It's a big game for us.
We can't look for an excuse.
We are at the end of the season, there are few matches left.
I don't think we should look for excuses that we wouldn't be in good shape physically or otherwise... We lost (in Rotterdam and against Lyon, editor's note), it happens, we move forward, we try to learn from our mistakes .
We are ready for the very important match, physically and mentally.
The objective is to qualify for the Champions League via the championship and to play this final.
We will therefore give everything to reach the final
“, assures Arkadiusz Milik, whose future in Marseille is not assured for next season, he who is on loan from Napoli and who is asking questions.
This Thursday, these doubts will have no place on the field, the entire Vélodrome waiting for only one thing: qualification.
