OM-Atalanta: The press conference

the replay of the press conference on Twitch

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg: ‘The coach has heart and personality.’

Confidence after Auxerre-OM

The victory at Auxerre did us good. We went out there and fought hard for it. Tomorrow, we have a Champions League match at home against a quality opponent. It will be a great match, and we will do everything we can to play well and win.

The mindset

I would have preferred to have nine points, but we know our level. There are things to improve, we are aware of that. We must continue on the right path. We will attack this match at home with our supporters who will show us the way. Tomorrow, I hope it will be a good day.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

I faced him for the first time when I was 19. I was playing against him and I saw that he had a lot of qualities. He was very fast, too fast for me. Having him in the dressing room with all his qualities is good for me, for the team and for the club. He brings us a lot of happiness.

A lack of madness and energy

There are a lot of matches and the recovery time is short. It's the same for everyone. We did everything last year to be in this situation, we have to show that we're up to the task. I'm sure we're on the right track, there are details to improve. It will be a good match tomorrow.

The role in midfield

We know how the coach wants to do things, he knows that each player has his own qualities and personality. Everyone in the squad is working hard to be ready and raise their game. The young players have adapted to the coach's style of play. It's also up to us to put them in the right conditions to do well. We're on the right track, we're doing a good job, we need to stay focused and motivated.

The team's mentality

It's November and we're two points behind the leaders in Ligue 1. That's the reality. We need to improve. The quality and character of the team are good. We're not perfect, but we want to remain competitive. We need to maintain that competitiveness and have the right mentality, always be hungry and keep our balance. The key... We're on the right track.

Midfield combinations

The coach has his own style of play, we have to express ourselves without fear or doubt. The opposition presses us and it becomes difficult. We have to adapt to the systems. I've been here for 15 months, some have been here for two months. Everyone has understood what the coach has in mind.

The noise at the Orange Vélodrome

It's noisy. It's special and difficult to explain. You have to experience it and feel it. After matches, I find it hard to sleep, it's like being slapped in the face. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, it's our home. It's the noisiest stadium. I've played in a lot of stadiums, but this one is unique.

Roberto De Zerbi

He's next to me, so I have to say these things nicely... There's a lot of pressure in football, there are a lot of people watching us. He has an extraordinary heart and personality. You need quality in this environment too. I've had some extraordinary coaches and I would put Roberto De Zerbi right up there with them, without hesitation.

Roberto De Zerbi: ‘The Orange Vélodrome is like a mirror.’

The state of the squad

None of the four (Nadir, Weah, Aguerd and Balerdi) have recovered. We'll have the same players as in Auxerre.

A final in spirit

The Champions League is entering its most important phase. There are fewer matches, so we absolutely must win. Three points in the first three games is not enough. We absolutely must take all three points.

First match against an Italian club

No, playing against an Italian club is always different. Atalanta is different. I was born in Brescia. Atalanta-Brescia is like a derby. We have to win to move up in the Champions League standings.

Memories of the rivalry

Check out YouTube. I was born 100 metres from the stadium. Before matches against Atalanta, the week before the match, all we talked about was the match.

Your feelings about Italian football

I only watch Serie A. I don't watch Milan-Rome. Serie A is underrated, there are good players, good coaches, full stadiums and passion. The Italian league is always great. I'm interested in my country and its league. I hope we qualify for the World Cup.

The flavour of the Champions League

I got to know the Orange Vélodrome with Brighton, and that's one of the reasons I came here. It's a special stadium, warm and demanding. It's the team that has to get the fans involved during the match. It's an honour for the players and coaches to play in this stadium.

OM at home

We have strong, intelligent players. The Orange Vélodrome is like a mirror. It gives you back what you put in. If you arrive with confidence and a desire to fight, the stadium gives it back to you. The players have adapted; they understand that. I can feel the players' desire to play at home. There's a habit and a desire to play here.

Preparation

We had walking training because we had played before. We didn't have the same intensity. Am I happy to play with injured players and a suspended player? No, you have to consider everything. We also do great things in difficult situations. We won at Auxerre without playing well, in difficult circumstances. The sun will come back when all the injured players return. It's a difficult period, we have to be more aggressive and determined. If we get through these difficult times, everything will be better afterwards.

OM favourites

Italian journalists don't always tell the truth, a bit like you. I don't know which of the two I would keep. Atalanta are a strong team, it's always difficult against them. They lost two games against Udinese and PSG. They are a strong team. They won the Europa League two years ago. It will be a different game from the 1-1 draw two years ago. We will play to our strengths tomorrow at home.

OM criticised too quickly

No, no. I like controversy, that's why I came here. You like spicy questions. I tell the truth. We played badly against Angers, but we lost two points in the last minute. We played badly in Auxerre, but other teams play even worse. We signed some important players on the last day of the transfer window. We would be top of the table if we had played every game since the end of the transfer window. I'd like to play better. Sometimes the criticism is harsher than the reality.

A tattoo linked to Atalanta

I'll tell you later...

His opinion on Atalanta

They've signed important players like Lookman from Paris. I don't see Atalanta as being in crisis. They have fewer points than in previous years. They're not in crisis, they played a great game against Milan. They deserved more than a draw. It's always difficult against Atalanta.

Adapting to Atalanta

We always want to adapt to the opponent because they are all different. We want to play the game, play our game. But against strong teams, you have to defend. If we have to, we'll defend deep, but we won't throw ourselves into our goalkeeper's arms. I don't want to see a repeat of what we did in Lisbon, even if we were playing with ten men.