Jorge Sampaoli’s pressure on his players

OM made it difficult on their own. This 36th day had started well for the Marseille club. Without playing, he recovered 5th place after the defeat of Lens on Lille 3-0 thanks to a higher goal-average (+6 against +4 at the Sang-et-Or). The opportunity was good during this trip to Saint-Etienne this Sunday to take off to never let go of this 5th qualifying place in the Conference League next season, the designated objective of the end of the championship. But it didn’t go as planned. Marseille lost 1-0 after an indigent first period. A service that Jorge Sampaoli did not appreciate at all.

“The first half was poor, we mostly lost in this first period. We found the team more in the second period, we managed to get closer to their goal. We had not imagined that the match would play out this way. Whatever the circumstances of each individual, the team must be aware that we are coming to the end of the season and, whatever the individual circumstances, we must play for the future of the club. We are not in the personal interest, but in the interest of the team. If we want to play Europe, it’s everyone’s responsibility ”, loose the Argentinian, like a tackle slipped to some …

Sampaoli did not like the first period

We can especially think of Thauvin, whose contract ends in a few weeks and who will go to the Monterrey Tigers. The world champion was not good for Geoffroy Guichard. Moreover, he did not finish the match, replaced in the last ten minutes by Benedetto. “Football always offers you three possibilities: you can play well, you can play badly or you can play moderately. I find that the first half of my team was not up to par. “ Thanks to Mandanda, OM will however remain alive in this meeting without managing to equalize and bring back this precious point which could have given them a decisive advantage in the race for Europe.

“If I think the players affected by this goal? Yes, I am convinced of it. We are still in daily contact with this dream and this possibility of playing Europe next season. There may be different sensations, different perspectives depending on the players. My obligation as a coach is to bring everyone together towards the same goal. All of this defines the future of the club. We have to think about the club and remain competitive, not to offer 45 minutes to the opponent because of our passivity. “ This defeat could have rather serious consequences. Two points behind, Stade Rennais is on the lookout and hopes to steal this famous 5th place.