OM – Monaco: The press conference
Follow live from the RLD center from 1:15 p.m. the press conference before OM – Monaco with Pol Lirola and the Argentinian coach, Jorge Sampaoli.
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Pol Lirola: “We have to defend together”
After a busy schedule, this week allowed us to disconnect. Wednesday, we are preparing for the match against Monaco which is important for us.
The lack of solidity at the moment makes us lose points. There are ups and downs in a season. We are living through a complicated period but we are still second. We must defend together to end this difficult period against Monaco on Sunday.
On one had two games that we had to win but on one took only one point. We analyze all of this, especially the phase without the ball, to correct it against Monaco on Sunday.
I am not at the expected level. People saw my real level last year. The system, the style of play… I don’t know how to explain it. I work to find my best level.
Monaco are at nine points. If we win, Monaco would be at 12 points, it would be a difficult gap to overcome. The championship is difficult, the teams have improved. We are always second.
The summer months were difficult. We all know what happened this summer. I am physically well, at the same level as last year. The difference in my performance does not come from there.
I like the stat on the difference between our home and away results. It should be the other way around. We have matches coming up to try to change that. I do not know why. Public support should help us.
Monaco remains Monaco. They should not be underestimated. We must take this match as a final to avoid the slightest problem.
Criticism is part of football. It’s normal that at OM we demand more. It’s not enough to be second. We are focused on our work. The atmosphere is good, we will fight to snatch second place in order to qualify directly for the Champions League next year.
Jorge Sampaoli: “I expect an aggressive team”
We always have to be at our best and give it our all. There are ups and downs in human beings. We try to be up to it but there can be fatigue. This full week allows us to recharge the batteries to try to find the best version of the team.
We see that it is difficult to be a protagonist offensively. We must find this offensive feeling to shake up our opponent. We have to work on something else to find the best OM.
It’s an important game for us because Monaco is prepared to play in the Champions League. This match will not be decisive, very important but not decisive. Monaco will fight to the end to be among the best. There are still meetings after this match to achieve our goals.
We tried to play with the diamond system against Qarabag. The match against Clermont from the 18th to the 85th, we had a presence in the opposing camp but we lacked precision in the finish. Against Troyes, within a minute, we won. We have to find the best version of OM in the home stretch. You have to be more sharp offensively. Against Angers, we think we can lose 3-0! I try to be consistent in my analysis. My idea of football has not changed. Our only intention before a match is to work for victory.
This winter’s recruits arrive after a very long period of inactivity. It’s complicated to decide on a starting XI without knowing if they are perfectly integrated into the idea of the game. Collective performance is the main question.
Players are asked to work better on the collective details: to be longer in the opposing camp, to be closer between the lines, to have a faster block. You have to have total efficiency in the final stretch. We did not win against Clermont and Troyes, Monaco will be more complicated. You have to win and find a successful team.
This week, the team worked hard on the attack. With the ball, we worked to press on the opposing block. Everything the team will do on the pitch will be to win. I expect an aggressive team.