Marseilles (AFP)

Olympique de Marseille has a chance to chase away the ghosts of its defeat against Saint-Etienne (2-0) on Sunday (9 p.m.) against Lille, a direct opponent, in a Vélodrome stadium still haunted by the absence of its supporters, for the fourth day of Ligue 1.

Digested, the affront against the Greens?

"Yes, we must turn the page, and raise our heads," insists Boubacar Kamara, believing that OM "did not know how to do it" after the historic success against Paris SG at the Parc des Princes (1-0 ).

Not yet digested for André Villas-Boas, however.

"No, it continues, this big disillusion," regrets the coach.

But he agrees with "Bouba": "Another big game is coming right away, finally it's a good thing, we can quickly forget and move on".

And LOSC may be the right opponent to exorcise.

Last year, this match was a trigger for the "AVB" team.

"It was you who taught me this expression of + turning point in the season +, I did not know it", the Portuguese told journalists.

"It was in a difficult period for us, after a defeat in the Coupe de la Ligue in Monaco (2-1), there it is after a defeat at home against Saint-Etienne", he continues, and the victory (2-1, November 2) launched the season of the future vice-champions of France.

- "A direct opponent" -

"Two goals with one shot on target, remember that game?"

Villas-Boas laughs at a press conference, remembering Morgan Sanson's goal and the one against his camp from Gabriel.

This instant karma is not the essential, OM-LOSC is above all "a big match against a direct opponent for the Champions League", continues the coach, thinking that "on the mental aspect, we will not be at the same level. Against Saint-Etienne it seems that we weren't too focused.

The reception of Lille also sends a little nod to Kamara, aligned for the first time in N.6 rather than centrally by the Lusitanian technician.

"Yes, I started in the middle of that match," remembers the "Minot" (20), but otherwise, he does not pay too much into superstition.

Certainly, "last year we won both matches against this team", but "two years ago we lost both ... I don't think that today it plays in their heads or in our heads ", summarizes Bouba.

It will be played on the pitch, possibly with Yuto Nagatomo's first left-back, Jordan Amavi serving the second of his three suspension matches.

“Difficult, but not impossible” to see the Japanese recruit, summarizes Villas-Boas.

"You have to be aware that he hasn't played for a long time. But he will be in the squad."

- "We're having trouble at home" -

In front, Dario Benedetto returns to him from suspension and will occupy the forefront of the attack after two experiences of players in "false 9" which "did not go well", according to AVB.

The Portuguese are also wary of LOSC.

“They lost Osimhen and Gabriel, but still made significant investments. They changed the system with this very aggressive 4-4-2 in mobility, based on players of experience and of exceptional quality: Ikoné, Bamba, Jonathan David, André ... "he warns.

His OM is chasing another ghost: he has lost some of his magic at home.

"I don't know why we're having trouble at home, I'm looking for the same explanations as you," says Villas-Boas.

OM have not won at the Vélodrome since February 8 against Toulouse (1-0).

He then took only one point out of nine.

And to defeat this fatal mark, he cannot count on his audience, with only 1,000 spectators authorized because of the Covid-19.

"We feel alone, we feel empty," regrets Kamara.

The club plans to broadcast songs from recorded supporters in the enclosure.

"We tried that during a match between us, the feelings were mixed. Some players said yes, it is useful, others said no, it is not useful", explains AVB.

But he seems dubious: "You know it's not natural, he thinks. And that's not what will make the difference, but our competence."

Their talent as ghost hunters.

© 2020 AFP