L1: Without Champions League, “a disaster” for OM, according to Benatia

Mehdi Benatia does not hide her goals. While the Olympian club is currently experiencing difficulties, its sports director was clear about what he expected from his group. “If there was no Champions League, it would be a disaster. When you see all the work that was done, the team we built to go to C1, I could not agree to be on the podium on April 20 and more on May 18. It is not possible“Said Benatia in his interview with the Regional Daily La Provence this Saturday.

Long solid second in the championship, OM slipped in 3rd place over a series of bad results, with five defeats in the last seven games. “”Without TV rights and without the Champions League, with the wages and expenses of the club, I was explained that it would be very complicated. It is an assumed bet, a risk taking of decision -makers“Jouted Benatia.”It's fundamental for OM to be in the Champions League“, He concluded.

In this long interview, the former player of Bayern Munich and Juventus Turin also defended the work of Marseille coach Roberto de Zerbi and the management of the club. “”Everything is not perfect, and we never said it would be after six months. We have a game identity, we know what we are putting in place, a possession game, risk -taking. It is the merit of the coach and his staff, it is his philosophy and that is what he instilled in the players“He said.

“I like to recall from where we went to this project over three years: from an 8th place in a season with four different coaches and with a largely renewed workforce“, He added. As he had already done in the past, Benatia has also denounced internal oppositions and dysfunctions.”I have never seen an environment where, when it does not go on the field, people from the interior of the club seek to sow zizania! I have never known that! People think it's normality, I call it mediocrity“He said.

“Some at the club think I am a danger, and it's true! I came here to remove this mediocrity! I will do it as long as I am there and until the last day“, he put forward.