Bruno Genesio discusses turnover, ambitions and challenges for OM in the Europa League

On the turnover at Besiktas on Thursday (9 p.m.), during the first day of the Europa League: “We have been thinking with the staff for a while. But we talk a lot about the group and cohesion. There are players who have not had the opportunity to show their quality, players who give their all in training. And it’s time for some to show it in a match. That doesn't mean that it will be 11 different players compared to the Rennes match (1-0 defeat). But there will certainly be a balanced mix between those who have started and those who will join the team tomorrow (Thursday). It is important to involve as many players as possible and to manage playing times because there is another match, and not the least important one. It’s important for both aspects.”

The morale of the troops after three consecutive defeats: “The first thing is to continue working as we have been doing since the start of the season and keep the link between the staff and the players, not to do the Coué method but to show that beyond the result, we showed interesting things at certain moments, which would have deserved better in certain matches. That’s the charm of the job: finding solutions when there are difficulties. We have to stay focused on the work and the spirit that has reigned in this team since the start of the season.”

Perhaps this is the right time for us to show that the match in Rennes was more of a match of hope and that we can rise to the level of the best teams in this competition.

Bruno Genesio

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Besiktas: “We observed our opponent very well. There are a lot of very good players, it's a fairly complete team that is used to European games, like us, and with an exceptional audience. Perhaps this is the right time for us to show that the match in Rennes was more of a match of hope and that we can rise to the level of the best teams in this competition, because I think Besiktas is one of them.

Also read Besiktas-OM: “The click is coming”, promises Timothy Weah before the Europa League

The atmosphere: “We do this job to experience this kind of moment. I remember an incredible atmosphere, my ears remembered it for several days... But with great respect. We had qualified but there was a standing ovation when we returned to the locker room. Which surprised us a lot… It’s one of the most beautiful atmospheres I’ve experienced in Europe, it should galvanize us and make us want to show that we are capable of rising to the level of the best teams.”

A deficit in terms of physicality in Rennes over the duration of the match: “The figures confirm it, especially against Rennes, the team which runs the most and makes the most effort at high intensity in a match. There are several explanations. We are trying to bring this team to the best of our ability in this area, but we also have to be good tactically and technically. The method may have changed from recent years in terms of possession. There is a time of adaptation. And there is the whole story of the end of last season and the beginning of this one, it is not trivial in the mental aspect.

No goals scored in two away matches in Ligue 1: “When you don't make your highlights come true, there are bad choices, clumsiness, a bit of bad luck... In any case, in terms of the content of the first hour in Rennes, there is progress. The players give 100% to the possibilities we currently have. But that's not enough, so we have to look for more. This is what we do in training with a group that responds. But it will still take a little time to see a more competitive team in this area.

His exit after Rennes regarding the fact that it is not up to him to give the club's objectives: "I have not had any discussions with the owner (Frank McCourt), but with the people with whom I work on a daily basis at the club and with whom things go very well, there is mutual trust."

You will still need patience.

Bruno Genesio

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OM’s ambitions in the Europa League: “I recall the club’s situation at the start of the season. The first objective was to comply with the financial authorities, which caused a few departures and no recruits, this is a first in 20 years for a French club involved in the European Cup... From there, lucidity is needed. And perhaps the club's objectives are to gradually put the club back on the right path, first financially and then the athlete, everything is linked. We are aligned on this with the president (Stéphane Richard) and Greg (Lorenzi, the sports director) but we will still need patience and the supporters have already shown it, particularly in Rennes. As a coach, this is the message that I want to convey to the Marseille community: perhaps it will take some time to find the OM that we all want to find. (…) I would like to add that I am not saying this to open an umbrella or make excuses. It’s just a lucid analysis of the situation. I assume my responsibilities but it is important to recontextualize what has happened for a while at OM.

The percentage chance of winning or being ready: “Giving a percentage is very difficult, it’s a very good team, very good players, with a very good coach and in an atmosphere which will be extremely favorable to Besiktas. Football is unpredictable. (…) We are entering a period in which we need a little more serenity, stability and to build things step by step, already to restore the confidence of the supporters and regain the standing that OM must have.”

It’s a competition that can allow us to regain a little confidence at the start of the season which is not what we hoped for.

Bruno Genesio

A choice between Ligue 1 and the European Cup: “No, we are going to play the Europa League thoroughly. And I have always done it with my clubs involved in the European Cup. I have a group that works well, is concerned and has qualities. This will not be a team to say that we are giving up the match in view of the Classic on Sunday. We want to play this competition, a great competition, with very good teams. We will do everything to get out of the first phase. It’s a competition that can allow us to regain a little confidence at the start of the season which is not what we were hoping for.”

Following the example of OL, who had a good run in the Europa League last season despite financial difficulties: “It’s not quite the same thing. They were able to recruit... But we can take inspiration from it because they had a very good run even though it was not predictable at the start. We have a quality group, which is capable of expressing itself and doing good things in the Europa League. We have a consistent calendar, not simple. It’s up to us to approach the matches with maximum motivation. And it is. There is no question of overusing this competition, out of respect for those who were there last season. And that’s not the nature of our job, we enter the field to win. We can draw inspiration from what Lyon did last season.”

Comments collected at a press conference