Marseille vs Lille OSC preview - Bielsa demands response
Posted Saturday, December 20, 2014 by PA
Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa has urged his players to rectify last week's defeat against Monaco at their Stade Velodrome fortress on Sunday.
Bielsa's Ligue 1 leaders entertain Lille in their final fixture before the Christmas break after failing to take advantage of closest rivals Paris Saint-Germain's surprise slip at Guingamp.
Marseille hold a one-point advantage over PSG but it could have been four had they taken their chances at Monaco's Stade Louis II.
"I'm not angry," Bielsa told the official club website.
"Anger comes when my players don't show the right desire and motivation.
"The team just wasn't as good at Monaco, now we need to see why and rectify it - but not get angry."
Marseille's surge to the top of Ligue 1 has come on the back of their outstanding home form.
They have won their last eight home matches in the league and the last time they dropped points at the Stade Velodrome was when losing 2-0 to Montpellier in the second week of the season.
"My side is still one of the most prolific attacks in the league this season," Bielsa said.
"It (Monaco) was the chance to extend our lead to four points but the change in rhythm and the decisive passes didn't arrive."
Lille must recover quickly from their midweek exertions in the Coupe De La Ligue, when they drew 1-1 with Bordeaux over 120 minutes before winning the tie 6-5 on penalties.
Rene Girard's side have failed to win away in Ligue 1 since beating Caen in August but they have managed to keep a clean sheet in their last three games against Marseille.
"The Bordeaux result has given us good confidence," striker Divock Origi told the official Lille website.
"It was mission accomplished because the coach warned us that only victory mattered.
"But we still have a big game before the winter break and we must recover before the last appointment of the year."
Marseille are again set to be without midfielder Abdel Barrada (groin), while Girard could name the same Lille side which beat Toulouse 3-0 last weekend to climb three places into 12th.
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