At the end of training on Wednesday, Christophe Jallet fronted up to the media to tackle questions about Friday’s Classico at the Stade Vélodrome.
Christophe, was the postponing of Marseille-PSG a benefit for one of the two sides?“I think everyone would have preferred to play a month ago. Circumstances meant the match was postponed. At the final whistle on Friday, the rescheduling will have favoured the side that wins. Obviously we had more players missing a month ago. Today, we’re basically at full strength minus Claude Makelele, suspended, and Guillaume Hoarau, injured. But this is still going to be tough game. We know we can’t afford to make any mistakes. If we want to rejoin the leading pack, then we need to get points, and quickly!”
How are you approaching your first Classico?
“Obviously this game evokes all the previous ones I’ve seen on television. I can’t wait to be a part of it and experience this atmosphere, this incredible fervour for myself. It will become a great memory for me is we can get all three points.”
When you played for Lorient, the Vélodrome was a fairly happy hunting ground for you...
“I only have great memories of playing in Marseille where I got two wins and draw in three seasons. I hope to keep that personal run going and pass it on to my teammates as well!”
On Friday, you’ll be up against your former Lorient teammate Fabrice Abriel...
“I’m really pleased for him that he’s doing so well. He’s playing very well with OM, including those three goal assists against Lyon. It just goes to show that there are quality players, even in the ‘smaller’ teams.”
Since the start of the season, you’ve played more at right-midfield than right-back. How do you feel in the middle of the park?
“What I like is playing football, it doesn’t matter what position. I don’t really mind. I try to give it my best wherever the coach puts me. In my career, I’ve already played left-back, right-back, right-midfield... And I always love it. We all have our role to play out on the pitch: to do our best. I happy to be a versatile player because it allows me to get a bit of playing time, which perhaps I wouldn’t get if I could only play one position.”
