Stade Rennais FC vs Marseille preview - Bielsa demands end to away hoodoo
Posted Friday, February 06, 2015 by PA
Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa knows his team must end their away day blues if they are to keep pace at the top of Ligue 1, starting at Rennes on Saturday.
Bielsa takes Marseille to the Stadium Stade de la Route de Lorient on the back of collecting only a single point from their last six Ligue 1 away matches.
Leaders Lyon host third-placed Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, so Marseille can take full advantage.
"We play every game the same way, with the same game idea, but we need to change this tendency not to win away to put the team back on track", said Bielsa, whose side are level on points PSG and two off top spot.
"When you are in the top three in the standings and want to maintain it, all games are important, with every point essential."
Rennes are in mid-table and progressed in the French Cup by beating Reims on penalties, but have not won in Ligue 1 since victory at Nice back on December 3.
Bielsa, though, will not take the challenge of the hosts lightly, having lost a French League Cup tie there back in October.
"Rennes is a team that has faced twice (already), we know the level of their players," the Marseille manager said at a press conference.
"Like all teams, they have moments where they shine."
Lucas Ocampos could make his debut following a deadline day loan move from Monaco.
Bielsa believes the 20-year-old Argentinian wideman can have an impact, despite limited chances following a big-money move from River Plate in 2012.
The Marseille coach said: "He is one of the players I had my eye on at the start of the season.
"He is can play on both flanks, but also in the centre. He is a dynamic player who is fast and direct."
Rennes, meanwhile, will be out to rediscover the form of earlier in the campaign after collecting just two points from seven league matches.
Manager Philippe Montanier, whose side went down 1-0 at PSG last weekend, said: "We were solid and compact (against PSG).
"We had some good opportunities we couldn't put away. We are still lacking a cutting edge.
"I am concerned, but not totally worried when I see how much my players put in."
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