Authors of a disappointing match, Marseille fell this Saturday on the pitch of Lorient (2-0) as part of the 30th day of Ligue 1. If this defeat could weigh heavily in the race for Europe, Habib Beye has especially criticized the attitude of his players.
It’s a match that could leave a mark. At least, in the locker room. Fourth before the 30th day, Marseille were surprised on the pitch of Lorient (9th) this Saturday (2-0), letting precious points slip away in the race for Europe. They still have four days left to hope to reach the podium and qualify for the Champions League, but anger is rising behind the scenes.
After Medhi Benatia, who described his team’s performance as a “scandal,” it was Habib Beye who didn’t hesitate to call out his players in the mixed zone. “I am very angry today. About attitudes, yes. And about the spirit that we must have when we are a player at Olympique de Marseille. As a coach, I do not accept that. So, I will make choices accordingly,” declared the Marseille coach in front of the media.
Still provisionally in fourth place with 52 points, just one point behind Lille, Marseille could see the podium slip away if the Dogues defeat Nice (15th) on Saturday evening. And they could even drop in the standings, as they only have a one-point lead over Lyon and two over Rennes, who are respectively traveling to PSG (1st) and Strasbourg (8th).
“If this doesn’t give us a shock…”
Departing for a training camp in Marbella for the second time since Habib Beye took over, Marseille struggled against Lorient’s low block and only managed to create a few opportunities. The hosts managed to score two goals by taking advantage of incredible but not unprecedented defensive mistakes from Marseille, thanks to Panos Katseris (28th) and Bamba Dieng (58th).
“What I’m telling you is that in terms of attitude, I saw a team that wanted to win. I saw a team that played together. I saw a team that had the desire to win every ball. I saw a team that defended together. I saw a team that had a connection in their game and especially in my mindset about losing the ball,” praised Habib Beye about Lorient. “What I didn’t see from my team today. So, as I am the one making the choices and leading the team, today, I take my share of responsibility for this defeat.”
And he continued: “What I told my players is that we could go to bed on Sunday night maybe in 6th place in Ligue 1. If this doesn’t give us a shock, it means that concretely we are not ready and not cut out to be in the Champions League.”
“I will fight until the end”
Good news for Marseille: they have a very favorable schedule, at least on paper, until the final day and the reception of Stade Rennais, which could then be a rival, at the Vélodrome stadium. Before that, they will host Nice (15th) on April 26 and then travel to Nantes (17th) on May 1 and to Le Havre (14th) on May 10.
“I expect a lot more from my squad. Tonight, I believe that there were players who had the opportunity to leave their mark at the end of the season, but it was not seized. We are leaders who must be positive and consistent, not just when it’s easy,” lamented Habib Beye. “If we have to go into the last four matches with young players, who maybe have that hunger, we will go. As a coach, I will fight until the end.”
