Olympique de Marseille currently stand third in Ligue 1 after Rudi Garcia’s side defeated Caen 2-0 this past weekend courtesy of goals from Konstantinos Mitroglou and Florian Thauvin. This season in Ligue 1, Les Phocéens have won five games in their first nine Ligue 1 encounters, whilst drawing once and losing three times.
Elsewhere, in the UEFA Europa League this term OM are presently third behind Group H leaders Eintracht Frankfurt and second place Lazio.
In their 2018/2019 UEFA Europa League group opener, Marseille took an early lead against Eintrancht Frankfurt thanks to Lucas Ocampos. However, second half strikes from Lucas Torró and Luka Jovic ensured the three points for the Bundesliga outfit.
Last week, the French giants, who were runners up in the UEFA Europa League last season, drew 2-2 away against Apollon Limassol in their second contest in the 2018/2018 Europa League campaign. The Ligue 1 side took a confident 2-0 advantage courtesy of goals from Dimitri Payet and Luiz Gustavo before the Cypriot side scored two decisive goals to level the affair.
FOX Sports Radio 96.9 FM/1340 AM’s Dean Perretta briefly caught up with Olympique de Marseille star, Dimitri Payet, to discuss OM’s 2018/2019 UEFA Europa League campaign, Les Olympiens expectations and ambitions this season in Ligue 1, as well as the French creative playmaker’s well-documented rejuvenation under Rudi Garcia in the south of France.
Dean Perretta: Firstly Dimitri, what are OIympique Marseille’s main ambitions and goals this season?
Dimitri Payet: Our objective is to continue to progress, to move forward to do better than last year. To do so, we will have to do better than last season’s fourth place. We will have to work hard and give ourselves the means to achieve this Champions League objective.
Dean Perretta: What are your thoughts on Olympique Marseille’s UEFA Europa League group?
Dimitri Payet: A tough group with big teams, as we saw against Frankfurt at home on the first day. We’re going to have to fight to get this qualifying spot.
Dean Perretta: How would you describe the football philosophy and tactical mentality of Rudi Garcia from a players perspective?
Dimitri Payet: Rudi Garcia likes attack. It deploys an oiled and shimmering collective game turned towards the offensive. He clings to an ideal of perfection and manages to motivate the group towards a goal to be achieved.
Dean Perretta: What are your personal aims this season as Olympique Marseille captain?
Dimitri Payet: I’ve set some for myself, but they’ll stay personal.
Dean Perretta: Lastly Dimitri, how would you describe the atmosphere inside the Stade Véledrome on match day from a players perspective?
Dimitri Payet: I will take the example of Leipzig, in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last year. I said I was fond of this kind of atmosphere and that night we were served. That’s what Marseille stands for, that’s what I love. With the European Cup in addition… this is what Marseille must have every year. When I scored the fourth goal, we felt it was shaking and our twelfth man was going to push us. And in the end we win. That’s the Velodrome, in difficult moments it manages to make us switch a match in our favour and in good moments we enjoy this unique atmosphere in France.
