OM-Strasbourg: Press conference

replay of the press conference on Twitch
 

Jacques Abardonado: ‘We're all out for revenge.’

The mindset

I know the situation because I've been there before. I'm facing up to it. I found a wounded group. We tried to bring some positivity with simple things in order to approach the match against Strasbourg in the best possible way.

The mission

The coach was wonderful; he accepted me into his inner circle of assistants. We'll see tomorrow what I'm going to change. We're going to take to the pitch with a winning attitude. We're all hungry for revenge; we'll face up to our responsibilities, me first and then the players.

A reaction

We have to, the championship isn't over. We have a French Cup quarter-final. We have to react and question ourselves every day. The players know they have to respond. The players have to enjoy themselves. You can always make up for it in football. We have to move forward.

His contribution to the team

The coach was passionate. The players have their share of responsibility, as does the staff. We have to move on and stop thinking about what we've done. We have to act quickly.

The atmosphere

It will be special, we know that. The crowd will be passionate. It's up to us, the players, to respond to that. From the very first minutes, we have to feel like a team that is going for a result. We have what it takes to face a team we respect.

His previous matches in charge of OM (Ajax and PSG)

I have more experience. I learned that on the eve of the match against Ajax. It wasn't easy. It's an experience. Now I have more time. We've tried to restore confidence to the group. It's a good group, good lads, but they have to prove it on the pitch.

The team's situation

Leonardo Balerdi will be absent tomorrow. Nayef Aguerd will be there. Leo Balerdi has an ear infection, he's dizzy, we need players who are 150% fit.

The qualities of the next coach

It's difficult. Every coach has their own way of coaching. It doesn't take much. The coach who comes in will know what to do. He knows his job. It will be up to him to put his skills to work on the pitch. The team is formed, it has a way of playing. The new coach will set the pace.

The responsibility of the players

They are responsible, just as we all are. They feel responsible and want to make amends. We have to win the next match. They want to make up for it. They have that desire, they want to make an effort and there will be a reaction.

Romain Ferrier

He's the reserve team coach. He came to help me because I need it. I can't see everything, he corrects, he has qualities, experience, he was a professional player. I had a vision, he gives me his opinion, we share our ideas. He has brought me a lot and will bring me a lot tomorrow.

The difficulty of OM

OM is an extraordinary club, but in both senses of the word. There's a lot of pressure here; we were European champions. It's not easy to last, but we can't change that. Any coach who comes here knows what to expect. I've known players who didn't want to wear the shirt anymore. Here, you have to get results.

The way things work

When the club is in trouble, you have to clear their heads. You have to talk to some, leave others alone. You have to listen to what they have to say. You have to put simple things in place in training. We've had individual meetings and there will be more between now and tomorrow.

The reaction and the atmosphere

The players will expect a difficult crowd, but they must focus on the game. We have to tell them that the start of the match will be difficult, there will be banners and chants. There are young players, we have to reassure them, we can change the situation, we are capable of it.

RC Strasbourg

They're a good team. They're not where they should be. They run a lot and have good players. We've analysed their strengths and weaknesses. It will be a difficult match against a formidable team. We'll take to the pitch without worrying about them, but focusing on ourselves.

Simple things

I've been there. When we weren't feeling good, we had to do simple things. You have to put the players in their positions and give them a little freedom. I watched fewer videos to clear my head and focus on the match. As for the goalkeeper, you'll see tomorrow. But there will be a goalkeeper.