Valentin Rongier (Marseille) before PSG-OM: “We go there without any particular pressure”
“A few days after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Europa League Conference, and while OM remain on eight victories in a row in all competitions, are you going to Paris without pressure?
There was a good result for us this weekend, with Rennes losing at home to Monaco (3-2). We don’t go there saying to ourselves: ”We can relax…” Far from it. We’re going there without any particular pressure, I think it’s the best way to approach the game, but we’re going there to keep our game philosophy, to play a serious game. We are not going to play thinking that we are going to delay them for the title and to make the end of the season more difficult for them.
How do you view the gap in the standings between the Parisian leader and you, the runner-up?
There are twelve points, at one point they did what it took to be far ahead. We missed some opportunities to remember a little, with some poor results at home, a few weeks or months ago. It pays. But we do not look at these differences, you know our ambitions, our objectives. We will try to win as many games as possible until the end of the season to achieve these objectives, which are far from being achieved. On a reminder of big games to play.
“I’m taking advantage of this period, I’m having fun on the pitch, I think that’s the case for a lot of us”
Height of six goals in nine Classics, has Kylian Mbappé become a nightmare? How to block it?
It has not become a nightmare, he is a very great player, we know all his qualities. Maybe we defend a little differently when he’s on the opposite side… We know his speed, the whole team has to be concentrated. If we defend together as we did in the first leg (0-0, October 24), it’s the best way to get a result.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice against OM at the Parc des Princes in October 2019 (4-0). (A. Réau/The Team)
You are in great shape personally. What do you attribute it to?
I feel good on the pitch, it’s linked to the strength of the team. It’s much easier to perform well in a team that is running well, as we can see, despite certain changes, certain rotations. Everyone is happy to play, everyone pulls themselves up. I take advantage of this period, I have fun on the field, I think that is the case for many of us.
In the Marseille team, several players (Harit, Gueye, Saliba, Guendouzi, Bakambu) grew up in the Paris region. They seem very involved in the OM shirt, can that count in terms of making a splash in Paris?
We are all 200% motivated for this match, but it is about three points to take, like during another L1 meeting. They come from the Paris region, they don’t want people to think that they have PSG in the back of their minds. They want to show, even more, that they are Marseillais and proud to be Marseillais.
How did you manage to dispel doubt after a mixed month of February?
Football is never linear, each team encounters difficulties during a season. The most important thing is to find solutions each time you face a problem. The group remained united. The staff discussed a lot with us, the most important thing was not to distort our game, to keep this philosophy which is our strength. By continuing to work, we were able to raise the bar in a beautiful way. But the season is not over.
“If we could do the same thing as last season and consolidate our second place, that would be perfect! »
Is it possible to keep your philosophy against an opponent of the quality of Paris?
It is feasible to keep our philosophy. Paris doesn’t really like chasing the ball. If we manage to succeed in our game, to deprive them of the ball and possession, that will be the best way to approach the match.
What memories do you have of the victory at the Parc des Princes in September 2020 (1-0)?
The return to the airport, the communion with our supporters, it was something strong, you can only see that here, in Marseille. We will do everything to relive that this season. If we could do the same thing as last season and consolidate our second place, that would be perfect!