The new coach of Olympique de Marseille made a remarkable outing as part of the preparation for the match against Shakhtar Donetsk this Thursday (9 p.m.).
Many feelings were mixed up at the time of the nomination of Jean-Louis Gasset on the bench of Olympique de Marseille. The arrival of the experienced technician to succeed Gennaro Gattuso was received with kindness, but also skepticism.
Many observers seem doubtful as to the ability of Laurent Blanc’s former assistant to find the resources to redress the situation of a team that has been adrift for several weeks. In this context, the round of 32 second leg of the Europa League against Shakhtar Donetsk this Thursday evening is akin to a first big test. After an interesting draw in Hamburg in the first leg a week ago (2-2), OM must win to validate their ticket.
“Penalty shots? Like pétanque! »
An identical score could push the Marseillais to penalties. And for this very particular exercise, not all technicians have the same point of view. Like Didier Deschamps, Jean-Louis Gasset believes that it is not necessary to prepare it.
“ I have a lot of things to prepare. But when you arrive at the end of 120 minutes and you have to shoot, it’s not by watching this afternoon calmly, relaxed and empty… it’s like pétanque, it’s the same, said the OM coach. You have to be in good condition to take penalties. But I still have a lot of worries before the penalties. » A statement which obviously caused a reaction from OM supporters, who did not hide their concern before this return match…
