After a 2-0 Ligue 1 win over Troyes, Marseille have a little more air to breathe, but not every tension has disappeared. Igor Paixao’s frustrated reaction when he was taken off was one of the talking points before OM return to the Vélodrome on Thursday.
The Ligue 1 news
Marseille coach Bruno Genesio said there was no rift with Paixao following the Brazilian’s visible disappointment during the victory over Troyes.
Genesio explained that Paixao may still be carrying the consequences of a failed move to Sunderland. The winger was close to joining the English club and, in the coach’s view, had expected the transfer to happen before it collapsed for several reasons.
“There is no issue with him,” Genesio said. “There are explanations for everything. Igor could have, and should have, gone to Sunderland. It did not happen, and perhaps he has not fully moved past that frustration.”
Paixao registered an assist in the opening round of the Ligue 1 season but has struggled to produce the same attacking influence since then. Genesio noted that the player had looked sharp in pre-season and had impressed against Strasbourg, while admitting his recent end product has fallen away.
Yet the Marseille manager stressed that Paixao’s work for the team has not changed. He pointed to the attacker’s defensive running, including his willingness to track back to the corner flag, and his support for left-back Emerson Palmieri.
“His attacking return is not at the same level as it was in pre-season or in the Strasbourg game, when he was very good,” Genesio said. “But his commitment has not changed. You see him making recovery runs all the way back and helping Emerson.”
Genesio believes the Brazilian is in the kind of uncertain spell that can affect forwards, with confidence currently the missing ingredient. Marseille’s approach will be to support him rather than punish him for his reaction against Troyes.
“It is our job to help him and make him feel our trust,” Genesio added. “He needs support, and help in the way we play, to recover his attacking feeling. Sometimes one moment or one goal is enough. Strikers rely heavily on confidence.”
Himad Abdelli, speaking alongside his coach, also backed Paixao. The Algeria international knows the difficulty of adapting at Marseille after his own hard period following his January arrival from Angers, before rediscovering his form this season.
Abdelli described Paixao as a positive presence in the squad and insisted the incident at Troyes had already been dealt with internally.
“He is always smiling, a very good person and a very good player,” Abdelli said. “He has the quality to make the difference for us. He may have been frustrated with his performance against Troyes, but he apologised immediately to the coach and the group. It is behind us and we move forward.”
The next appointment in France
Marseille now turn towards Europe, with Olympiacos due at the Vélodrome on Thursday in the Europa League. The Troyes result brought a needed domestic lift, but Genesio’s side will be looking for a more convincing attacking performance as Paixao and the rest of the forward line try to rediscover their edge.
