After the defeat against Panathinaikos (1-0) on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the next Champions League, goalkeeper Pau Lopez felt that OM could not look for an excuse, despite rookies and a new coach.
Pau Lopez does not want an excuse after the defeat of OM on the lawn of Panathinaikos (1-0), Wednesday evening during the third qualifying round for the next Champions League.
“To say that we were not yet ready for this match because there are a lot of recruits and a new coach would be to try to find excuses, estimated the Spanish goalkeeper from Marseille. We have no d excuse. They won, we are OM, we have to go to the Champions League.”
>> Panathinaikos-OM (1-0)
Marcelino’s regrets
Marcelino, he no doubt hoped to start his story with Olympique de Marseille with a victory on the lawn of Panathinaikos. He has to do with this inaugural defeat and especially with a poor offensive performance from his team, the Spanish technician will have to work to correct the situation before the reception of Reims, Saturday in Ligue 1, and even more for the return match against the Pana next Tuesday.
“We were below the expected level, especially in terms of the attack,” even admitted the former Valencia coach after the meeting.
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Marcelino: “We came here to win”
The Spanish coach had however aligned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, his three offensive recruits of the summer, but none really stood out. “As I said, we are a team under construction, added Marcelino. It’s not an excuse but it’s the reality. We came here to win and now our task is next Tuesday. at the Velodrome.
After a first leg match in a warm atmosphere, in Greece, the technician knows however that on the return, the public will also be able to be decisive: “I am sure that at the Vélodrome, with the assistance of our supporters, we will be able to accomplish our task”, he said before sharing his optimism: “I have a lot of confidence in my team. […] I have optimism and ambition and I think I can get through.”