Les Marseillaises: The press conference

The replay of the press conference

Tess Laplacette: “It’s mad”

The opposition

Montpellier play every match as if it were their last. We need the three points just as much as they do. It’ll be a really intense game. If we don’t manage to stay up tomorrow, we’ll have other things to focus on.

Your role

It’s a special situation. We’re trying to stick together and be there for one another. I have no doubt that it’s going to go well.

The Club’s progress

To play at the Orange Vélodrome again, we’ll need the three points. It’s mad, everything that’s been achieved. I was at OM seven years ago; the rise has been meteoric.

Keeping our feet on the ground

We won’t be able to keep them there for even two seconds, but after that we’ll have to keep them firmly on the ground. The fans will help us with that. Corinne Diacre has given us confidence; she makes us feel at ease and calm about it.

The anticipation

Walking down the tunnel. When I’m in the stands, that’s what gives me goosebumps, so I’ll have them tomorrow – you can count on it.

A message

Anything is possible. I never thought I’d play in front of nearly 50,000 people. We have to enjoy it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You have to believe in your dreams.

The changing rooms

We’ll start to get used to it. I’d love for us to be here often. Our squad is modest, but we felt something special when we visited. We’ll realise that tomorrow. We’re making the most of every moment.

Visual cues

We trained yesterday and today. We’ve got our bearings. We haven’t changed a thing from the session planned at the Campus. They’re providing us with the right conditions. All these details make us happy. As for the crowd, we don’t take it for granted at every stage. I’m sure that’s what will make the difference tomorrow.

Home difficulties

There’s no rational explanation. Every match is different; it depends on form, mindset, good days and bad days. The score isn’t always representative of the matches.

A message for the fans

Thanks for booking your tickets; now you need to come along. We’re looking forward to it; we need as much noise as possible.

Reactions among the players

We were told quite early on. We didn’t really realise it at first, but the closer it gets, the more we realise. There’s been a lot of work and commitment put into the project. I’m pleased that the Club is investing as much in the men’s team as in the women’s.

Women’s football

It’s a good thing to play in big stadiums. It raises our profile. It’s great that clubs are opening up the big stadiums. It would be good to expand to 14 teams. We’re on the right track; I believe in it.

Concerns

There will be hiccups; not everything will be perfect. The aim is for there to be more positives than negatives. We need to focus on the game. It’s a new chapter for the Club’s women’s project. I hope this match will allow us to continue on this path.

Dealing with the pressure

I’m very calm; I try to calm and reassure those who need it. Tomorrow, there will be positive pressure. I know my teammates; I’ll be there for them. I trust them.

Defence

We mustn’t concede goals, but we must also score. Just defending doesn’t really work for us. We need to play the game and not retreat into defence. We’ll need to be solid defensively.

Favourite position

I don’t have a preference. It depends on the tactics; I like having the ball in a possession-based game.

Corinne Diacre: “We don’t want it to fizzle out”

A big moment for OM

I’d like to thank the Club for the exceptional organisation of this event. We walked out onto the pitch yesterday, we had a look at the changing rooms… My role is different now; I’m wearing the manager’s hat. Few players have experienced moments like this. It’s a bit difficult to get a handle on this match, but I know that when the time comes, they’ll be there.

A special moment

I’m delighted to be experiencing this first. I’m used to firsts, but I’m thrilled that it’s me. It’ll be a gala match or an event where, if we don’t get the three points, it’ll all fizzle out. And we don’t want it to fizzle out.

The work

To perform at the weekend, you have to work hard during the week. They do that – with intensity, discipline, awareness, and growing confidence… The results have been up and down, but it takes time. With more consistency, we wouldn’t be in this position. But we have to look ahead.

The Orange Vélodrome

I couldn’t recall a match as a coach, but I did remember one as a player. We go through the match 15–20 times beforehand; that’s normal. I’ll give them the tools to conserve their energy. Tomorrow, at 6.30 pm, they’ll be ready. If we win, we’ll have one foot in the Arkema Première Ligue. A match at the Orange Vélodrome, against Montpellier with survival in our sights – that’s a lot to take in.

Women’s football

It’s a one-off, but it’s happening. We have to take what we’re given. We need to put on a show so that the LFFP repeats the initiative. It costs a lot. We need to set the money aside and see what it might bring in the long run.

OM

This is OM’s first season in the top flight. I’m focused on the future of the Marseillaises. This event could be a huge springboard. We’ll have to get the job done on the pitch. Otherwise, the project will progress more slowly, and it would be good not to waste any time.

The last match

We went two goals ahead twice and were pegged back twice. My decisions won’t please everyone. The point picked up at Le Havre is still a good point. We scored two goals and that point will count. It will count if we win tomorrow. If we can’t win, we must avoid losing. Tomorrow, we’ll need to play with our heads and our legs.

Speakers at training

We tried to recreate the stadium atmosphere at training by playing sound through their headphones. It’s important to find other ways to communicate. We need to give them the tools so they aren’t caught off guard tomorrow.

Montpellier, the opposition

There are new players, a new coach. I prefer to stick to my role. Montpellier have nothing to lose, and neither do we. We must stay focused on our goal of winning and putting in a good performance. Playing well doesn’t always guarantee the result. Tomorrow, we’ll try to play beautifully, but if we can’t, we’ll be effective. Both teams will look to play their game. Both teams need to win, so it’ll be an open match.