OM-Ajax (4-0): The coach's reaction

Igor Paixão

Criticism in Marseille is like the sun: it's always there, every day. He was injured for two months. He's growing up. Together with the staff, we tried to get him to a level where he could play. Tonight, he scored. In Strasbourg, we already saw something different. The goal helps his confidence, it's positive and we're all very happy.

The line-up

Putting Højbjerg on the bench is a tough decision. He had played three consecutive matches and expended a lot of energy. All the players will be needed during the season. I'd like to have them all playing a leading role during the season. At 3-0, it was a good idea to bring on Weah to help Pavard. We're not all in optimal condition and I don't want to lose any players. I hope it's not too serious for Medina. Balerdi could have played, but the doctor told me there was a small risk. And I didn't want to take any chances with him.

The tactics

We're becoming a strong team, that's true. But we don't want to give the ball away to the opposition. When I saw that they had two players missing up front, I changed things. This morning, I changed the game plan and we were looking to be aggressive. We didn't realise straight away that Vermeeren needed to push up more to make it 3 against 2. I told the players not to lose patience. We had a good first half, we played almost perfectly. We played very, very well in the first half, perhaps the most important part of the match since we've been in Marseille.

Ajax

Ajax played well, given their qualities and history. The midfielder who came on in the second half is very strong, as is the right-back; they have several very strong players. But OM played better; they're a great team. We pressed hard and took risks. I don't see anything bad on Ajax's part. We played well in the first half. After the break, we need to see why we lost ground on the pitch. Ajax attacked with more players. We didn't do as well in the second half as we did in the first.

Facundo Medina

I don't have any news. It's a sprained ankle, but we don't know how serious it is.

Arthur Vermeeren

He played because Højbjerge can't play every game. He's going to the national team. We shouldn't be afraid to use all the players in the squad. We have to give everyone the same importance. To have a strong team, you have to know how to make choices.

A possible adventure in the Champions League

No, we have to think about Metz. We have to think about improving. We won a match, but that's it, we have to think about the next one. Saturday will be even more difficult. We'd be wrong to think it won't be as difficult. Metz know how to defend, they know how to play on the counter-attack. In Lisbon, it will be another difficult match.

Ambitions

Something changed at the end of the transfer window with the latest arrivals. There was a spark, some enthusiasm. Good humour and optimism have returned to La Commanderie. I see their personality, their seriousness and their connection with the fans. They applauded Vermeeren and Paixão, it was very beautiful. When Højbjerg came on, Aubameyang, without being told, took off his armband and gave it to him. It was the most beautiful gesture of the evening.

How do you feel?

I feel very tired because this match took a lot of energy out of me. This morning, we changed everything with the staff. I'm happy but tired, and I'm already thinking about the team we'll need to put on the pitch in Metz on Saturday.