Bayeux-OM: Press conference

replay of the press conference on Twitch

Amine Gouiri: ‘If I play my game, the stats will follow.’

The Champions Trophy

Given the scenario, it hurts. I would have preferred to finish the match at 1-1 and go to penalties rather than concede that goal at the end. We've conceded a lot of goals at the end of matches. We need to get that into our heads, it's a bad habit. It's not a lack of experience. We have to work hard because we've lost points and a title. It hurts.

The inconsistency of OM

We're working on it. There are many factors: a lot of matches, injuries. But we're still in the league and in the Champions League. We looked Paris in the eye and we can have a very good second half of the season.

Statistics, goals

If I only think about scoring, I'll mess up. Whether it's a French Cup match or a league match, I go out on the pitch to help the team and score. You have to respect your opponent, even if there's a big gap between the teams. My goal is always to score.

His injury

It was difficult. Three months without playing is a long time. I could use my legs, I worked out indoors, I cycled. I took the opportunity to spend time with my family, my wife and my son. I followed the matches. It went by quickly. I worked hard and today I'm here and very happy.

A match against amateurs

It's great, that's the magic of the Cup. We have to stay focused. It's an R1, but we can't look down on them, we have to stay humble. The Cup is a goal, there's a trophy to be won.

Fears to be had

We're not nervous. We have to go in with humility. They're going to play the match of their lives, but so are we, because we want to go as far as possible in this Cup.

A new Gouiri after the break

I'm still the same. I want to play, I'm hungry to play. I want to score, set up goals and help the team. I'm not 100%, I need to keep going, but things are getting better.

Competition with Aubameyang

He's a very experienced player. He's played for many big clubs in Europe. I'm learning a lot from him, I'm happy. We can even play together because we complement each other.

The last move against Paris

It's tricky. If he scores, he seals the match and it's over. It's not his fault. He was injured, and we were one minute away from the trophy. That's football, you have to move on.

The end of the match, the ups and downs

It's mental, there are a lot of matches, we play every three days, it's impossible at the highest level. We have to work hard. There have been injuries, but we have a good squad. The second half of the season has some nice surprises in store for us.

The Olympique attack

It's different, we never play the same way. The formation is different depending on the opponent. We have good potential up front and I'm going to enjoy myself.

Positioning

We haven't discussed it with the coach. Maybe it will come up. The coach knows I can play in several positions.

Confidence

Stats are important. If I play my football, the stats will come. I'm present in the box, I'm going to have chances. I want to help the team and the stats will come naturally.

Apprehension

I came back because I had the go-ahead. I returned after 11 weeks, a week ahead of schedule. I'm continuing to work indoors. I don't have any protection.

The CAN

It was difficult. We came up against a great Nigerian team. We proved that we have a great generation. It bodes well for the World Cup; it was a good test.

Roberto De Zerbi: ‘We can't wait to play this match.’

The passing of Rolland Courbis

I didn't know him personally, but I'm saddened by his passing. He was very young. He had close ties to OM. My staff and I were talking about it this morning. Coming just a few weeks after Jean-Louis Gasset, it saddens us greatly.

The match against Bayeux

We need to understand something. Perhaps we needed the match against Paris to understand that. We have to approach every match in the same way, with determination and humility, as we did against Newcastle. Otherwise, we wouldn't be a complete team. The best team will be fielded tomorrow.

The future of Medhi Benatia

He loves Marseille, perhaps even more than I do, because he was born and raised here. The day he leaves, I will leave too. I came here thanks to him and Pablo Longoria. They are the ones who brought me here. The day one of them leaves, I will leave. I don't think he was talking about the end of this season. I know how to be fair and keep my word. The day Benatia leaves, I will leave too.

Tadjidine Mmadi

We have Gouiri who has come back, Traoré too, there's Greenwood, Paixão, Maupay played the last game and he's been much better since the start of the season. I have a lot of respect for him, he needs to improve. He's part of the project, like Vaz and Bakola. I play players based on what they produce.

Robinio Vaz

I spoke with Pablo and Medhi. We'll see what happens financially. We have to stay within budget, we'll try to improve the team. Last year, we found Gouiri. We'll try to find players to improve the team. Some clubs are interested in Vaz, but I don't know any more than that.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

He is able to play a few days after a big 90-minute match. There is a risk of muscle injury, so we have to schedule the matches and check which ones he can play. He is a world-class player. But it's not possible, we knew that at the start of the season.

The squad

We gave Aubameyang a few days off after Monaco. He had a problem with his leg. He had three or four days to recharge his batteries, rest and switch off. We have enough strikers to do without him tomorrow.

The Bayeux team

We respect this opponent. They play in a 3-4-1-2 formation. He gives advice to other coaches, I'll give him my number if he wants to give me advice. We're looking forward to playing this match. For me, the Champions Trophy should be played in France.

Geronimo Rulli

Tomorrow, Jeffrey De Lange will play. I'm always happy with Rulli, he's earned us a lot of points in the league. He's an asset, it's a privilege to have Rulli.

The end of the match

The match in Kuwait really touched me. I'll remember it for the rest of my life. You always have to give your all, you can't listen to the applause or the boos. You have to stay focused until the 95th minute. It ruined our season. To improve in this area, you need heart, attributes... There's not much you can do.

Grit, experience, vice, malice

Come into the dressing room to see what I say before a match. I don't think I make the team too nervous. With more aggression, these situations could become negative, like the goal from a throw-in against Toulouse or the goal against Atalanta. The only match where we played with five players was against Atalanta. In Madrid, against PSG, against Sporting in the first half, against Brest, against Ajax, in Kuwait, we played very well. PSG are still a better team than OM, but we challenged them, looking them straight in the eye. There's a difference in the way we play from match to match. Maybe the squad is too young, maybe they haven't been playing together long enough. The variation in performance levels is linked to the goals we concede at the end of the match, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to improve on that point.

The charm of the Coupe de France

I like this format because everyone should have the same opportunities. It's only fair that these clubs have the same rights as OM or PSG. It's only fair that we have this format.