Bielsa having impact as Marseille bid to extend winning run

19 September 2014 00:16

Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa may not enjoy an easy relationship with his president, but he has got his team performing on the field as they prepare to host Rennes in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

OM beat bottom club Evian 3-1 away last weekend, their third consecutive victory leaving them just a point behind early leaders Lille.

That win eased the tension around the club after Bielsa criticised president Vincent Labrune for failing to sign any of the players he had targeted over the summer and for recruiting Brazilian defender Doria against his wishes.

However, Labrune insisted on Monday that the two had held talks and that the incident was now behind them.

"We had a frank, in-depth and respectful discussion," he said. "I understood that Marcelo did not wish to cause controversy.

"The incident is now over. The interest of the club must come first and everyone is working together towards achieving success this season."

Marseille are not distracted by European competition this season, and their prospects of challenging at the top of the Ligue 1 table may be helped as a result.

However, Rennes, who won in Marseille last season and are fresh from holding champions Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw, are unlikely to provide easy opposition.

Rennes coach Philippe Montanier will get the chance to renew acquaintances with Bielsa after the two came up against each other when in charge of Basque rivals Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao respectively between 2011 and 2013.

"He is an introverted personality but I will be pleased to see him again," said Montanier. "He did a good job in Bilbao."

Bordeaux, who are also a point behind leaders Lille, play host to Evian on Friday aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at Guingamp last weekend.

Les Girondins were the surprise package of the opening weeks of the season but coach Willy Sagnol has tried to play down expectations ahead of the clash with the division's bottom side.

"First place does not reflect the true level of our team," said the former Bayern Munich full-back. "There are better teams than us. We know we can get close to them by working hard and it is easier when we are in the shadows."

- No place like home -

None of France's European representatives are in action until Sunday, when champions PSG entertain Lyon at the Parc des Princes.

Laurent Blanc's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Ajax in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, a result that left them with only one win from eight away outings since April.

"I don't know why we are struggling to win away from home. I can't explain it. It is not a catastrophe to draw here but we wanted to win," said Dutch defender Gregory Van der Wiel after the game in Amsterdam.

Paris have drawn all three away games in Ligue 1 so far this season but at home they are a different proposition, as their 5-0 hammering of Saint-Etienne recently suggests.

They have lost just two of their last 45 home games in all competitions, and while Lyon are fresh from beating Monaco last weekend, they have been beaten on their last four trips to the capital.

Monaco are in the relegation zone as they prepare to entertain Guingamp, but Leonardo Jardim's side boosted morale with a 1-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"The victory against Leverkusen was very important. It will give the players confidence, especially in Ligue 1," said Jardim.

"Now I hope we can build on it against Guingamp. Guingamp are a difficult team to break down but we need to win at home."

Leaders Lille are at home to sixth-place Montpellier, while Saint-Etienne go to Lens and former Chelsea star Florent Malouda could make his Metz debut against SC Bastia.

Fixtures (kick-offs 1800GMT unless stated)

Friday

Bordeaux v Evian (1830GMT)

Saturday

Marseille v Rennes (1500GMT), Lorient v Reims, Metz v SC Bastia, Nantes v Nice, Toulouse v Caen

Sunday

Lille v Montpellier (1200GMT), Lens v Saint-Etienne, Monaco v Guingamp (both 1500GMT), Paris Saint-Germain v Lyon (1900GMT)

Source: AFP