OM-Lens: Press conference

press conference replay on Twitch

Gerónimo Rulli: ‘To be the best goalkeeper in the league’

We've had a week in which we've worked. After Nantes. All the matches are important. It was against Nantes, it will be tomorrow. We want to keep our second place, take as many points as possible and qualify for the Champions League.

Yes, I have few balls to touch during the last games. I play a lot with my feet but few saves. I have to be ready at all times during the game. I talk to my therapist, he helps me prepare for the games. We work a lot with the coaches. I have to find moments in a game to stay focused.

I haven't seen it, but they've told me about it. We have goals, and mine is to be the best goalkeeper in the league. I hope that at the end of the season I can say that I was the best goalkeeper in L1. But the main goal is a collective one: to qualify for the Champions League.

The Argentinian national team has some very great players, especially in defence. There are many players who will fight for this place, they will all be ready. Leonardo Balerdi can do it but it is the coach who will decide and whoever plays will do it very well.

I remember the first leg very well because Leonardo Balerdi and I were just back from international duty. They are a physical team, they go for it in every area of the pitch. The crowd were really pushing them. By the second half, we were two goals ahead. It will be a similar match on Saturday. It will be a big challenge even if they are missing a lot of players.

Without a doubt, we are making progress. It's been a long time since I was asked to participate so much in the game. We work for many hours on this aspect, including video. We all know what we have to do in each position, we then have to do things correctly. I love this style of play, I have a lot of fun and it's the best way to win.

No, I don't think so. It doesn't matter who the opponent is or how they play, the important thing is to get the three points. We have to keep going. We represent a team and a city, that's enough for us.

At least once a week, I've been doing it for many years. Football is 80% mental and 20% physical and technical. I talk to him once a week and for the moment that's enough, but if I need more, it's possible.

Greenwood is a fundamental player for us. We have a better chance of winning with him. He has progressed a lot since he joined us. He should defend a little more but he has the humility to recognise when he makes mistakes. We have yet to see the best Greenwood on the pitch. It's a new position for him. I hope he scores tomorrow to be the top scorer in the league.

I know that I have worked hard to get to this level. My personal motivation drives me to work, to be better. When you are happy somewhere, things are easier. I feel very comfortable here and it shows.

One of the characteristics of our dressing room is that we are all united. Leo talks, I talk, the young players can speak up. Everyone can speak and that's positive because it doesn't always work like that elsewhere. I make jokes because I like to be in a happy atmosphere. You also have to work. The balance is very good. We have a lot of potential.

Yes, I have a lot of time to observe what is going on around me. I have played a lot of matches and the atmosphere here is great. In Angers, when I came out for the warm-up, it was the first time on away games that almost the whole stadium was standing to applaud me. At the end of my career, I will be able to say that I played here at this club.

It's more complicated than playing every three days. The body gets used to playing more often. The time between matches is very long, you lose concentration because the next match is a long way off. I hope that next year things will change and we will play every three days. It's different, I don't like playing just once a week and I hope that next season we will play more often. That will mean that we have done things right.

This season, I don't have much to do, but when it happens, the situations are very clear: stop, goal or we shoot outside. I like it, I enjoy it. We know that we are very important in the team. These are decisive moments. It's new for me. I've been learning all season long.

We would have liked to be closer to first place but we are a new team with ten to twelve new players and new staff. The process takes time. But it's working, we're on the right track. Everyone wants to win titles but we are on the right track to be the best team in France. I have no doubt that we will achieve this in 1, 2 or 3 years' time. We are moving in the right direction.

Roberto De Zerbi: ‘You must have the mentality of a big club’

The extension of Amir Murillo

I am very happy about the extension of his contract. He has earned it. He is doing very well in the league. His absence is a problem. Lirola is similar to him but he lacks something to be in that role. Rongier can also do it but he is a midfielder. Kondogbia too. Ramos can also play there but he is mainly a centre-back in a back four. So we'll see. We'll also see how many games he will be missing.

The change of system in the first leg

As soon as I leave the stadium, I start thinking about the next game, and that's when I have the best ideas. The first thing that comes to mind at the end of a game for the next game is the one that gives me the most satisfaction. After Auxerre, I was sure we had to change. The first leg is over, the return leg is on Saturday and I'm very focused on that one. We won against Nantes and winning twice at home in eight days is difficult. Lens are a physical team, we need to play a big game and take a mental step forward. To be a great team, you have to have the mentality of a big club. That's the challenge.

A change of system to help Greenwood

The change of system at Lens was to have more order in the middle. With Rongier and then with Bennacer now. So that Rabiot can find his place on the left axis, as an attacking midfielder, we have moved Greenwood closer to goal. I wanted Mason Greenwood here. He was the first player I called. I had called his father before signing here. I expect more from him because what he is doing is not enough for us. If he wants to maintain his expectations as a champion, he must be more consistent, more decisive. His performances are making a bit of a splash, and I don't like that very much.

Amir Murillo's replacement

Yes, I've made my decision, but you'll see tomorrow before the game.

The role of Geronimo Rulli

He's a great guy, a top player. The Argentines are ahead of the game when it comes to handling pressure. He's a fair player for OM. He deserves it, he works hard, he always gives his all, all the time.

The number of points in the championship

I was hired to do better than last year. We do our job, nothing magical. The objective is not Lens or the Champions League, it is for the longer term, to raise the club's level. It is to ensure that the club is one of the best in France on a consistent basis and to be competitive in Europe. It is not yet time to take stock, we will do so at the end of the season.

Replacing Murillo

That's a bit of a trick question... I'm not stupid, I understand. Rongier is an idea, Kondgbia too, Ramos too... Wait until tomorrow.

The midfielder

It depends. When Murillo is not there, it's a bit of a crisis. When you play with two midfielders at the back, you also have to change up front to balance the game. Depending on the week and the training sessions, I see what the best solution is. There are 10 games left, 30 points to be taken, but we haven't done anything yet. The tension has to be at its maximum, we can't let our guard down. I'm strict if I see the tension or concentration dropping.

Home results

The Orange Vélodrome has become an ally, which it was before. I hope they will help us because the championship is not over. The players have fun when they play at home, the supporters are our friends. It shows in the performances. At the beginning of the season, we had terrible results at home and now we have to perform everywhere.

Amine Gouiri

I'd like him to become like Higuain. Amine Gouiri is a very good player but not yet at that level. He needs to maintain his quality outside the box by adding aggression and desire. For me, it's mental because he's always scored a lot. He is OM's No. 9, he has obligations, it is an honour, a privilege, but he has a responsibility to score.

The second half of the championship

I focus on everything, I want the game, the concentration, the motivation... That's all we have to focus on. The second half is always harder than the first. We have found a soul in our team. We know who we are, for better or for worse. I enjoy training these players. They are all strong. I am behind them because I don't want them to rest on their laurels. I pay attention to everything. If someone trains badly, they don't play, no matter who they are. I motivate the team, I can get angry too and I can defend my team as well.

Amar Dedić and Quentin Merlin

I was waiting for Dedić to understand what OM, Marseille, is all about and for him to be able to integrate. He comes from a big team. He may play with Merlin or one of them will play. Merlin is French, he has been at OM for two years and he is a little more advanced than Dedić.

His passion for football

Leonardo Balerdi said ‘a little crazy’ so not 100%. It's an improvement on the past. I always try to be myself. I shine when the players are good. It's their light that reflects on me. I don't try to be someone else with my faults and my qualities.

Faris Moumbagna

We're waiting for him. I hope he can score the goal that qualifies us for the Champions League. He deserves it because I know what it's like to be injured for a long time. It would be just right for him to be the decisive player in the last few games, it would be really great.