We could already see this OM on the mat. For qualification in the round of 16 and even to manage to grab 3rd place. But his victory against Sporting last week at the Vélodrome (4-1) put the Olympians back in the game of this Champions League group.
Tonight at the Estádio José Alvalade, they find the Lisbon people to confirm that they are in the running. In this now very tight group, this 4th day should make it possible to see things more clearly. Sporting could take a step towards qualification by winning and the Olympians could get back into qualifying position if they did the same. “There are three finals for everyone“, analyzes Igor Tudor, while Tottenham and Frankfurt will finally try to decide between them this evening.
Clauss and Guendouzi probably holders, what about Balerdi?
Absent against Ajaccio, Mattéo Guendouzi and Jonathan Clauss are in the group, and “fit“, assures Igor Tudor. The two internationals have indeed well trained yesterday morning, even taking the lead in jogging opening of the last training yesterday noon. They could be starters, Clauss on his side, Guendouzi in front of the defense or among the two playmakers, if Igor Tudor is looking for more balance.
After great performances, especially in the first leg, Leonardo Balerdi plunged back against the Corsicans with an own goal. It remains to be seen whether the Croatian, never stingy with compliments to the young Argentinian, will sanction him even if it means preferring Samuel Gigot.
Tavares has ‘no more respect’ for Amorim
After the first leg, Nuno Tavares complained about the behavior of the Sporting bench, starting with coach Ruben Amorim. “I will not comment on what has been said. These are normal things during the game, had played down the Portuguese coach this week. Regardless, in my opinion, nothing happened.“
What did not please the young piston at all, who crushed his compatriot during the pre-match press conference: “He obviously knows what he said. I lost the respect I had for him. We play tomorrow, it’s a new game. What happened, happened.”
What to see a Tavares back on its left side this evening.
Igor Tudor takes the pressure off
If he admits the great sporting stakes of this match and the next two, Igor Tudor wants as usual to deflate the pressure surrounding this meeting. “The pressure is every Sunday, every weekend, every training. You shouldn’t think like that, you just have to try to be good, relativize. It’s not a matter of life or death, it’s a sport. We have to believe in ourselves. With experience, I try not to think about all that anymore. It’s never black or white, neither for me nor for my players.”
OM have never conquered Portugal
When he moves to Portugal, OM never gets there. In eight trips to the land of Carnations, the Marseillais lost seven times: three in Porto, two in Braga, one in Guimaraes and another in the Estadio da Luz de Benfica (the terrible April 18, 1990 and the hand of Vata) . Faced with the rival of his evening opponent, Didier Deschamps’ Olympians still managed to draw on March 11, 2010 (1-1) in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League.
40,000 supporters expected including 1,300 OM faithful
Despite the incidents at Tottenham, OM supporters were allowed to travel to Lisbon to support the band at Tudor. The club received 1,400 places, the maximum it could obtain. The tickets were almost all torn off since 1,300 found takers. The first aficionados arrived on Monday in the Portuguese capital.
On the Portuguese side, Ruben Amorim hopes for a full José-Alvalade stadium to push the Lions to victory. However, the Sporting coach’s wish should not be granted since 40,000 supporters are expected tonight. The Lisbon enclosure can contain 50,478.
Sporting side, Jerry St. Just package
Released during the match on Saturday against Santa Clara, Jeremiah St. Juste (25) did not participate in training yesterday morning in Alcochete. Ruben Amorim confirmed his withdrawal in the afternoon. The absence of the Dutch defender is added to those of Daniel Bragança and Luis Neto.
“Franco Israel is ready”, assures Amorim
Entered during the game in Marseille to replace Antonio Adan, excluded, Franco Israel (22 years old) will live his first tenure this evening. “He feels very good. Here, all the players are ready. Franco is confident, calm. I think he will play a great game”, predicts his compatriot Manuel Ugarte. An opinion shared by the coach: “He doesn’t have as much experience as Adan, but he will learn. We trust him. We chose Franco because he knows how to play with his feet. Experience doesn’t mean everything. It’s his time. He is ready”says Amorim.
Coates and Porro back
Absent in Marseille last week, the Uruguayan captain of Sporting and the Spanish side have recovered from their glitches. They will hold their place in the starting XI.
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