OM-TFC: Press conference

Press conference replay on Twitch

Neal Maupay: ‘We're not going to give up now.’

The group's state of mind is one of focus and revenge. We're competitors, we want to get back to winning ways because we haven't been at our best for a few games now. I've played less recently but I feel ready. I'm focused on the objectives. There are 7 games left, 21 points, there are things to do. We can't demobilise after underperforming.

We need to spice things up... We're all on the same wavelength, disappointed with our performance last week, we want to react. We came for the coach and for the project of reaching the Champions League. We've been through tough times, we're not going to give up now. We want to prove that we have what it takes to achieve our goals.

I don't know what kind of reception we'll get. I've always felt the supporters were behind us. Of course, I'm not surprised by our performance in Reims. At home, the crowd is a major force for us. It's up to us to play a good game and make them proud. The supporters want to see us play well and win games.

No, there is no rift between the coach and us, on the contrary! We can all come out of this stronger and even closer to these moments. We came for the coach, he has such a strong desire to do well... In every family, you have to talk to each other. To finish the championship well, we need him and we need everyone.

There was no specific role. I didn't know how to rise to the occasion, it was difficult to find myself. We went wide with crosses that didn't come to anything. We can't feel sorry for ourselves, we can't doubt, this is not the time. We have to bounce back.

There was never any question of not training. I didn't think about Knysna, the bus or the letter. We talked things through and that will stand us in good stead. I'm thinking about the defeat against Auxerre in November, then we go on a training camp and then we have our best run of the season. We are focused on the objective which is the Champions League. I have never had the opportunity to play in the Champions League, it would be stupid to do that, to give up.

I find you on the ‘not concerned’ side, but that's not the case. As for the rest, we may have relied too much on certain individuals. It's a good reminder. In football, if you don't do the simple things, it becomes difficult to win matches, even against teams that are less strong on paper. This week in training, we stepped up the intensity to help us develop our game.

This week, the coach was there to work with us and make us face up to our responsibilities. When a method doesn't work, sometimes you have to change to get a reaction. I'm pretty convinced that everyone reacted the same way. We know what we did wrong and sometimes it's good to get a slap in the face, it wakes you up. On Sunday, everyone will be determined to turn things around.

On Sunday, we have to win for ourselves and for the standings. There are seven games left and a lot of points up for grabs. Despite our bad run, Monaco are just ahead of us and Nice are behind us. It's complicated for everyone. Our lead of a few weeks ago has disappeared and we have to play without calculating. We can't make the mistake of thinking about the calendar, about the game the following week. We have to think about ourselves.

I came here with a well-defined role. We signed Amine Gouiri, who scored goals and made a good start. I bided my time. He set me up for a goal. We can play together. I want to play like all the players. I haven't lost sight of my goal. If I don't play and we go to the Champions League, I'll sign straight away.

We need to get back to basics, in terms of commitment, desire and aggression. Without that, it's difficult to win games. Reims fell back a lot, we had 2-3 chances at 0-0, we could have turned the game around. All is not lost. I don't know what to expect against Toulouse, but if we are at 100%, if we fight like starving dogs, no matter the system and the composition, we have the qualities to win this match.

Roberto De Zerbi: ‘I would give my life for my work’

I am very happy to be the coach of OM because I love controversy.

The week since Reims' departure
I've had a very hard time this week, like everyone else. I'm going to speak clearly about what has been written. I'm talking about the person who wants the best for my players. We've done a lot of good things this year. After Paris, I said I was proud of my players. In Nice, I hugged all my players. After matches where they didn't give their all, I was annoyed. The things that happened this week are things that happen in all teams. But in Marseille, it comes out. Pablo was there, he supports me, Medhi too. The players who don't like to talk much, they all came to talk to me and they told me they understood. I observe from the field, without speaking. The members of my staff did the training. The one who makes the most mistakes is me, but I don't accept that we do things below our maximum limit. I try to push OM to the maximum. I think I'm a good person, even if some people make me out to be a criminal. Reading that Medhi played a mediating role hurts me. I can't be liked by everyone. I know that what came out about Pol Lirola is that he sometimes needs to be provoked. I always do things in good faith, for the good of my club.

Players facing their responsibilities
I always defend the players in front of you. I always expect 100% from them. We had 6-7 good months, we had a good lead and we lost. My job is not to have friends in the dressing room but to make sure they give 100%. I have to get the most out of them. I would give my life for my job. It has given me everything, but I have lost a lot for my job. I am ready to do anything for my job and I would like the same from my players. Why does an OM coach last no more than two years? I like to be at the centre of controversy. When I make mistakes, I admit it, but in this case, I have not made any.

The reception of the supporters
It hurts me when the supporters criticise us, when we disappoint them. It hurts me, it wounds me. We shouldn't expect anything and go out on the pitch like ‘furious’ men. We have to be on fire and if we manage it, the whole stadium will push us.

His relationship with the players
I will always be on the players' side. I am the first to defend them. I ask the players to give their all. It's not a question of the French or Italian mentality. It's a question of giving everything, of leaving the pitch with your head held high. I know how to lose, to accept defeat. Losing can happen. Our competitors lose points. What annoys me is the way we lose. If we lose by giving everything, I have nothing to say.

His management of the players
I don't know what effect it will have. We had to break the routine. After the first leg against Lens, after Auxerre, we were training at 5 o'clock in the morning. It wasn't a punishment. I know how to be a coach. I know when it's time to hug my players and when I have to be a little tougher. I'm not afraid, I'm ready to do anything for my job. That's what I want to convey to the team. I don't want everyone's approval, but everything has to be done 100%. I know it was going to be in the press, I even know who gives you the information. I could have acted without risking anything. I come across as a criminal or a delinquent, but I'm not that.

His state of mind
I am angry, annoyed with the way we played the last few matches. The OM is the best place for the OM. This article upsets me, it also saddens me because some of the things are not true. I know where I am. A month ago, the press conference lasted 3 minutes because we were second and now you have to come to the press conference with a helmet.

Defence without Leonardo Balerdi
We have one defender in the squad, to play with 11 men, we will need midfielders to play in defence. Højbjerg came to see me to tell me that he wanted to play on Sunday but he won't be able to. We'll see how Amine Gouiri is tomorrow. He and Bilal Nadir have returned from international duty so-so

His future
Here too, everyone can say what they want. No team has called me. Until the end of the championship, I am not talking or flirting with any team. My wish is to stay here for a long time. I have no intention of leaving. A marriage takes two. Nobody contacted me, I made that quite clear. In general, I'm not talking to anyone.

The fear of losing everything
It takes a shock, a very strong reaction, exasperation. You have to go out on the pitch with a different mindset to the one you had in Reims. I have the schedule in mind. If you don't deserve the chance, it won't come. We didn't go out on the pitch the right way. If you're 100% on everything, everything's fine, no injuries, no silly goals and the coach is fine.