Keep hopes alive, or risk the European dream. This Thursday, Le Gym have a date with destiny that kicks off at 21:05 CET, when they play host to Salzburg and only a win will do. Lucien Favre and Dante spoke to the media at the traditional pre-match press conference:

Now or never

Lucien Favre: We mustn’t look any further than Thursday’s 90 minutes, whether it be in the Europa League or Ligue 1. We have to concentrate on ourselves and play our own football. But, unfortunately, we also require other results to go our way.

Dante: It’s going to be very difficult if we don’t win on Thursday. That’s why we will be approaching this match with the same attitude we showed in Austria. We don’t have any options, other than victory. We have to treat this match like a final.

Austrian memories

Lucien Favre: We won the first game in Salzburg 1-0, but they had chances. I say it again: they are a good side. They press very high as soon as they lose the ball, it’s the same philosophy they share with their partner club Red Bull Leipzig. They are very physical sides, with players capable of backing up their runs again and again, who have been chosen for this system. They have been doing for years in Salzburg and they will continue to do it well, especially with Leipzig. We are expecting a very tough game."

"Give everything, every match"

Dante: Our win in Austria was very important. That result gives us more hope, it motivates us, makes sure we stay focused on trying to qualify. It’s important to give it everything in order to win. But you also have to stay disciplined, tactical and organised. It will be another good test for us.

Ligue 1 and Europe: double objective

Dante: For the moment, we’re top of the league, but we are not focusing on the standings. There’s no point in saying "We’re first on the ladder, we don’t care about the Europa League." It doesn’t work like that. You have to give every single match, absolutely everything, because every match helps us improve. We have to give the maximum every day. Every match is a chance to show what we can do. We have to make the most of it.

Lucien Favre: For the moment, things aren’t going too badly, especially over the last few weeks. But tomorrow is different. It’s one match: we have to get the result and, above all, focus on our football. Our football is offensive, wanting the ball and defending as a team.

 

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