Olympique de Marseille defender CJ Egan-Riley has cautioned his teammates against complacency following the club’s five consecutive Ligue 1 victories, a 2-1 win at Lens.
The 23-year-old Englishman, who played well in central defense, said the team must remain humble to keep winning.
CJ Egan-Riley spoke to Ligue1+ following the match at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. His comments come as Marseille climbs the league standings on the back of an impressive five-game winning streak in the league.
Egan-Riley’s Humble Approach
Despite the recent success, Egan-Riley insisted that the team must remain grounded. “It’s football, the importance of confidence in the results is enormous,” he stated. “We are on a very positive run. We have to believe in ourselves, in this possibility, even when we were at our lowest.”
The defender highlighted the collective effort behind the team’s resurgence. “We have made a lot of efforts, we have worked with humility to succeed in this kind of run,” he added. “It’s a good period, five wins in Ligue 1 is amazing, exceptional, but we must stay focused to make these efforts and extend this series as long as possible.”
He further stressed the importance of maintaining a united front. “We have to keep this humility, when you work, to perform together. We did it. We have a little more success, we create more situations, we defend better too,” Egan-Riley explained.
Addressing the Motivation Question
The defender also directly addressed questions about a potential lack of motivation within the squad, a criticism that surfaced during Marseille’s difficult start to the season. Egan-Rilly challenged that narrative by suggesting opponents should be asked about the team’s resolve.
“Ask the opponents who have come to the Vélodrome since the start of the season if they felt resigned players,” he said in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche. “I feel different because I never go on the field without expectations for the team and for myself. We don’t just give everything, we want to add quality and victories. It’s a whole.”
This statement comes after a 4-3 victory against Le Havre, where Marseille nearly squandered a four-goal lead. Egan-Riley acknowledged the need for improvement for the full 90 minutes. “From the final whistle, on the pitch, we started to learn from the last twenty unacceptable minutes. From my part and the team’s,” he stated. “Concentration is ninety-five minutes, not one less. Whatever the opponent. We must never tremble like that again.”
Ambition and Focus on the Future
While acknowledging the team’s improved position in the standings, Egan-Riley tempered expectations with a call for continued hard work. When asked about the team’s potential league finish, he replied, “Fourth? I look at the table, it’s important. But it’s true that we want to be as high as possible. But we have to stay focused, we are quite young players, we have to keep working.”
The defender praised the coaching staff’s role in challenging the squad daily. “The coach and the staff try to challenge us every day. We know we have qualities, we want to perform as the matches go on,” he said.
The team is now playing with more purpose and humility after struggling early in the season. Egan-Riley, who arrived from Burnley in the 2025 offseason, has become a central player under manager Bruno Genesio, helping to stabilize a defense that has driven the recent run of results.
The Bigger Picture
The victory over Lens capped off a remarkable period for Marseille, which includes not only the five-game league winning streak but also a triumph against Bayer Leverkusen. Egan-Rilly was praised for his performance in that match, which was described as his best match at Marseille.
“Everyone is happier now,” he reflected on the team’s turnaround. “Sometimes our game was good but didn’t give a result. Other times, we were really bad. It was a difficult period. The current series, with many goals scored, is more satisfying.”
The defender’s words reflect a team that has learned from its past mistakes. The narrow escape against Le Havre, while not a perfect performance, served as a valuable lesson and has, according to his coach, “soudés” (bonded) the squad together.
What’s Next for Marseille
Marseille’s next match will be after the upcoming international break. The team will look to carry its momentum into the second half of the season, with Egan-Riley and his teammates determined to extend their winning streak and climb further up the Ligue 1 table.
As the international break provides a moment for reflection, Egan-Riley’s message of humility and focus will be key for Marseille as they aim to maintain their impressive form and challenge for a higher position in the league.
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