Olympique Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli is prepared for a difficult match against Lazio tomorrow.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference (via LazioNews24) earlier today, the Argentinian coach discussed if his team can finish top of their Europa League group still.
All points are important. So far we haven’t collected enough points for what we’ve shown on the pitch.
We need to collect as many points as possible in order to qualify.
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Sampaoli looked ahead to tomorrow’s Europa League clash against Lazio.
It’s even more vital than the one against Galatasaray. There are only a few games left and the points are very important.
A difficult match awaits us, just like the one in Italy because of the characteristics of the team and the coach. It will be difficult but we have the obligation to win.
He commented on the differences between playing in Ligue 1 and playing in European competition.
In every competition there is different preparation. There is less attention in the Europa League than in the league.
It will take me some time to get used to Ligue 1 and manage this aspect better.
The Argentinian coach discussed the atmosphere at the Velodrome, something that will undoubtedly charge up Olympique Marseille.
Children invited to the stands by the club. I think it’s a wonderful initiative. This helps generate a feeling of belonging to the club.
There will be a lot of anticipation and this can push us further. I hope the kids can get excited with us. We want to show that we have many values beyond the result.
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He remembered the first meeting between these two sides last month.
It was a difficult match and I expect the same tomorrow. They played an important game against Atalanta and Atalanta only equalised in the final seconds.
Lazio are the toughest opponent in the group. We know they can hurt us especially in transitions.
We have to stay calm and not get anxious, we have to be strategic and tactical. Lazio are a very homogeneous team.
Finally, Sampaoli revealed that he had the opportunity to work for Lazio before Simone Inzaghi took on the job.
I had a meeting with Lotito. There was this opportunity that didn’t materialise in the end.
It could have been a good opportunity.
Olympique Marseille currently sit 3rd in the Ligue 1 table after 12 games, sitting on 22 points. They are one point behind second-place Nice.
The French side are coming off a routine 1-0 win over struggling Clermont and they are looking for all three points against Lazio tomorrow as they look to qualify for the Round of 16.
