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The OM captain analyzed his team’s victory on Sunday
By Mario Albano, in Saint-Étienne
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After a Saint-Étienne-OM where he equalized but also missed two duels against Paul Bernardoni, Dimitri Payet was satisfied with the nice operation OM, which is widening the gap in the standings with Rennes and Nice, which were neutralized on Saturday.
Dimitri, are you satisfied with this new success?
We had a game plan in place, we got off to a good start before conceding that first goal, but we still stuck to our idea and it paid off. Our idea is to play, regardless of the opponent, whether at home or away, to have possession, to wear down the opponent, to play in his camp, to create many chances. Here, it was successful because we were able to score four goals, sometimes it’s more difficult to finish, but we have defended this philosophy since the start of the season and we are happy when it pays off.
On opposing ground, you feel very serene, very confident…
We knew that by coming to Saint-Étienne, we would find this particular context, with this public which pushes, this generous team which presses a lot. We had to stay focused and even though we were behind, that didn’t stop us from winning at the end.
Mattéo Guendouzi seems to take on another dimension.
We are happy for him. A player who shines in selection returns with full confidence, this is the case of William (Saliba) too.
This weekend was full of uncertainty, about the holding of the match, about the evolution of the situation. However, in the rankings, you did the right thing…
It is important. But from one weekend to another, it can change quickly, you can go from second to fourth place and vice versa. Now, being second, we have our destiny in our hands, it’s up to us to win our matches to remain the hunted and not the chasers.
What do you think of the situation of the Greens?
I am saddened because I spent four seasons here. I hope they won’t be relegated, because Saint-Étienne in the Cauldron is always a trip we love. I want them to stay. With all my heart. They have taken a lot of points since the start of the second leg and I hope things will get better for them.
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