The last match, Sunday in Brest, confirmed that OM still had work to do to live up to expectations. Like Dimitri Payet, the Marseille captain and attacking leader, former FC Nantes, who has to settle for a place as a substitute at the start of the season.
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This Saturday, August 20, OM welcome Nantes from 9 p.m., on the occasion of the 3rd day of Ligue 1. Faced with a team that remains on two draws, and while the Marseillais crossed the first two days by grabbing a victory and a draw, a question arises: will the Croatian coach Igor Tudor give more playing time to Dimitri Payet?
Because against Reims, the player had only been entitled to 13 short minutes… Barely more, 21 minutes, in Brest… It was unexpected. When pointed out to him, Igor Tudor replies that“there are other important players on the bench”, an abundance that makes him a happy coach.
Formerly essential, and even international, Dimitri Payet is therefore only one player among others, in the eyes of his coach: “DBefore there is no number 1, 2 or 3. It depends on the game, who is able to earn the job. We have a lot of players: 6 or 7 for 3 positions. But this will be assessed on a case by case basis. In the game, the game. Will we play with a striker and two midfielders? With three forwards? It is decided before or during the matches too.“
Anyway, Dimitri Payet remains an important player for Olympique de Marseille. His teammate Valentin Rongier assures him, the Reunionese has not demobilized: “Dimitri is still involved in the life of the group. I know it doesn’t he doesn’t like being on the bench… He does what it takes to come back.“
The World Cup obliges, the calendar is busy at the start of the season: OM still have to play three games before the end of the month. Payet will therefore undoubtedly have his chance, he who can evolve in all positions on the front of the attack. Especially since none of the attackers lined up so far by Tudor has shown that he is irreplaceable. This week, the club even opened the door to a departure from the Pole Arkadiusz Milik.
Another question remains: does Tudor have a personal problem with his player? Before the first day, a meeting provoked by certain players was held to discuss the management of the Croatian, eager to mark his territory. Dimitri Payet denies being at the origin. But this may explain why one of the Velodrome’s favorite players has to polish the bench for the moment.
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