Eager to “turn the page” after the failure against Tottenham in the Champions League, Igor Tudor admitted to a coaching “error” that occurred on Tuesday evening at the Orange Vélodrome. According to him, he should have given playing time to Dimitri Payet in order to try to bend the Spurs. “There is great disappointment, great sadness on the part of the players. They are aware of having played a great Champions League and did not get what they deserved“, claimed the native of Split in remarks transcribed by RMC, before discussing the burning case of his number 10. “I think I made a mistake, I think Payet should have played at least a quarter of an hour. It’s a coach’s job, we all make mistakes.”
“If I am at my level, decisive, the coach is not crazy”
On Sunday, Laurent Blanc’s OL, on the strength of their 2 consecutive victories, will present themselves at the Orange Vélodrome. And Lyon seems to be held in high esteem by Tudor who spoke of “a team with great players, a new coach who is bringing them a lot”. Also present at a press conference this Friday, Payet highlighted his rather logical frustration regarding his non-entry into play on Tuesday. “As a competitor, I want and I work to be on the field all the time. But the coach makes choices, you have to respect them“, he admitted, eager to “make sure every day in the field and when he calls on me to prove him wrong, to put problems in his head“.
Ensuring that he was in good physical shape despite his complex situation, he affirmed his ambition not to let go of the matter. “It’s not today, at that age, that I’m going to complain to my leaders. The coach is the one who decides. I’m not going to go see the leaders to ask them why I’m not playing. Ultimately, I could go see the coach, but not even. I think that if I am at my level, decisive, the coach is not crazy. If you win the matches, he will inevitably put you“, he slipped. The game “particular“against OL would be a great opportunity to make the evening beautiful in the eyes of the supporters”to help digest what happened on Tuesday“. OM, who have 4 defeats in their last 5 matches in all competitions, would be well advised to win.
