Marseille coach Jean-Louis Gasset admitted on Saturday that OM were “unforgivable” after their defeat on Thursday against Atalanta Bergamo in the Europa League, but called on the supporters, “irreproachable” according to him, to come and support their team Sunday at home against Lorient. “I understand the disappointment and the anger. But tomorrow, we have this objective of winning to leave Marseille European at the end of the season. So despite the resentment, come and encourage us again,” asked Gasset at a press conference.
Eliminated Thursday in the semi-final of the C3, OM have only a slim hope of European qualification via the championship. Currently 9th with a match late, the Marseillais must finish 6th, or 7th if Paris SG wins the Coupe de France. “You are blameless and we are unforgivable, but this is the last home game. If I make this appeal to the people, it is to ask the supporters to finish 100%,” explained Gasset.
“We know that we are unforgivable, but if we want OM to be European, we have to have a good end to the season and finish at the Vélodrome with a victory. I care a lot about it. I had chills in this stadium and I want them again,” added the Marseille coach.
“The collective is touched by not having lived up to the event. Everyone must have within themselves the anger of having been insufficient. We can still finish 6th, if we do the job. It starts tomorrow. Let’s give ourselves every chance to finish as high as possible,” asked Gasset. After receiving Lorient, OM, comfortable at home but struggling away, will end their season with two trips, to Reims and Le Havre.
“Here we fly, outside we walk. It’s not from today. At the Vélodrome we are tigers and outside we are cats. There are incomprehensible things,” concluded the OM coach.
