Good news at last. After an eventful week, OM players learned this Friday that there would be no greening before the reception of PSG on Sunday (9 p.m.). Interim coach Nasser Larguet offers them a Saturday night with the family. “The green bets can be really long for the players, we say to OM. They spend a lot of time in the rooms, it gives them time to think about it. They will put less pressure on themselves if they are at home. The group will meet for a final training, this Saturday, in a closed Commandery.
The craftsmen will have finished laying the barbed wire supposed to strengthen the barrier, damaged by the 300 supporters who violently entered the training center last Saturday. The security system will remain consistent throughout the weekend. “When we see the four police vans, we ask ourselves questions,” admits Steve Mandanda. In thirteen seasons in Marseille, he nevertheless experienced other crises. But the captain had never seen such violence: “The criticisms were always reasonable. There, we have taken a step forward, and I hope that we will find appeasement. This is not a good thing for the club, the supporters, the players. “
“Milik also knew a few stories like that in Naples”
This week, Steve Mandanda had to reassure some recruits, shocked. With the more experienced players, the goalkeeper cleared up the situation with humor: “We joked a bit with Milik, I welcomed him to Olympique de Marseille, smiles the goalkeeper. He also knew a few stories like that in Naples. He’s a player with a strong personality, that didn’t destabilize him. “
The change of coach either: “Arek” Milik did not really have time to forge links with Andre Villas-Boas, laid off by the OM management on Tuesday. The departure of the Portuguese is however a blow for Dario Benedetto, Alvaro Gonzalez or Steve Mandanda. “His second season went less well, but humanly and in terms of ethics, he’s someone I really appreciate,” comments the French international. We are many in the locker room to be disappointed by his departure. “
The Portuguese coach did not however only have friends at the Commanderie. “The tongues are loosened,” says a source close to the locker room. Some players believe he abandoned ship in the midst of a storm, to protect his reputation and his ego. “
“It is not the supporters who are on the ground”
They reserve, for the moment, a cordial reception to Nasser Larguet, discreet and sympathetic. “He’s a good guy, quiet strength,” testifies an employee of OM. Everyone loves him, especially because he never goes up the towers. And everyone is keeping a low profile, because the cards are reshuffled in the locker room. “There is no longer any status, no more holder, no more replacement”, assures an observer. The advisor to a player who had little tenure by André Villas-Boas is delighted: “The 4-4-2 in Lens was interesting, it opens up new possibilities”.
In his speeches, Nasser Larguet especially insisted on the “pleasure” that the players must find. It was also the message of Pablo Longoria and Jacques-Henri Eyraud, who addressed the team, Wednesday, in Lens. According to a witness, the leaders repeated that they had all their confidence: “We believe in you. We must show unity and we must not doubt ”, they declared, in essence. The draw obtained at Bollaert (2-2) was also considered internally as a correct result after a “catastrophic” week.
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The reception of PSG, which OM beat in the first leg, “can be the rebound match”, we hope at the club. Nasser Larguet will only have two training sessions to work on the gaps on set pieces and on opposing crosses. But it was enough for a press conference to pique the pride of his players, who have not won any of their last six games: “It is not the supporters who are on the ground, he recalls. with a big smile. So players should not blame anyone! “
Article original de: www.leparisien.fr
