The Marseille coach had only good words to say about AEK ahead of the match between the two teams at the OPAP Arena (9/11, 22:00) for the 4th matchday of the Europa League groups.
Marseille coach Gennaro Gattuso praised AEK, which he described as a team that is very well made and structured in terms of football, at the press conference on Wednesday (8/11), 24 hours before the match between the two teams in OPAP Arena (9/11, 22:00) for the 4th matchday of the Europa League groups.
The coach of the French team initially referred to the loss of Ronzier, stressing: “We have Kodogbia and Veretou, there is also Bilal Nadir who has the qualifications and can take responsibility. It’s not nice to lose a player like that, but tomorrow we’ll do everything we can with the players we have.”
And he added about Aubameyang’s absence: “I don’t think it’s anything too serious. The doctors asked us to be careful.”
Regarding the criticism leveled at the experienced striker, Gattuso pointed out that: “He plays very well, but he doesn’t score. If he wasn’t called Aubameyang, you wouldn’t criticize him so much. Pierre is an area player, Vitinia and Pierre are two different strikers, Vitinia uses his body more. They are involved in our team’s game and that is important. I am happy with my two strikers. Our attack is at a very high level.”
The Italian coach then referred to Marseille’s progress in the league: “If we had beaten Lyon, the point against Lille would have been good. We shouldn’t see everything in black, that nothing is working, the score is disastrous, but not the appearances”.
Gattuso then focused on the game against AEK saying: “I don’t want to dwell on negative things, we have to accept the blows of fate. There are those missing, others will replace them. I’m not “quiet”, it’s not my style.
Tomorrow the match will be difficult, it will not be like in front of our audience. AEK is a team well built to play the game they play. We have prepared and we know that we will have to give 100% to win in this stadium.
It will be like the Marseille race. AEK is a very good team, which does not change. We have prepared well and with a lot of respect for our opponent. It’s a very important match, there will be a very warm atmosphere.”
SOURCE: APE-ME
