Marseille - Stade Reims preview - Bielsa wants to feel the rhythm

Posted Friday, February 13, 2015 by PA

There is only one thought occupying the mind of Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa ahead of Friday's Ligue 1 encounter with Reims at the Stade Velodrome.

The Argentinian coach, whose side can leapfrog Lyon into first place with a victory, simply wants to see his team rediscover its rhythm and play better.

Marseille have prevailed in just two of their last five league games and go into the home game on the back of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Rennes.

"That doesn't worry us," Bielsa told his club's official website, when asked about the possibility of taking over top spot. "The important thing is that we play well and we win.

"The rest is, for the time being, an anecdote.

"If it is only for a few days, it cannot be that exciting."

Indeed, if Marseille do win, Lyon would be able to move back into first place with a good result at Lorient on Sunday.

The indifferent form for Marseille has left them on 48 points, level with last season's champions Paris St Germain, two points adrift of Lyon.

OM needed a goal from on-loan Monaco winger Lucas Ocampos on his Marseille debut to get a point out of the game with Reims.

Bielsa says his squad has to start showing some improvement because its recent displays have not been anywhere close to the expected level of the club.

"Around the performance of the team, there is a feeling of disappointment and disbelief," he said. "We must change this situation and I, and the players, are working towards that.

"Every game is a motivation to do better."

Marseille, two points behind Lyon, have won 11 and lost just one of their 12 games at home in the league this season.

They will be without suspended midfielder Mario Lemina.b

The situation for Reims, who are coached by Jean-Luc Vasseur, is dire in comparison with Marseille.

They lost 3-1 at home to Lorient last weekend, a result that extended their winless run in the league to five games.

Reims are 13th in the standings, six points clear of the drop zone and have won just two games on the road this season.