From dressing down to therapy as OM seek response against Nice after Lorient loss | OneFootball

After the 2-0 defeat at Lorient and a dressing down from Medhi Benatia, OM have shifted from punishment to therapy, with Habib Beye softening his approach and Frank McCourt stepping in before Nice visit on Sunday at 20:45.

Beye kept his Friday press conference unusually brief, saying his irritation was aimed at the wider context rather than his players. According to L'Équipe, he told the squad on Monday they could either sink into despair or go back to fight and target winnable matches, but that everyone must give more, including those carrying knocks.

No player spoke up, and Benatia, who leaves on 20 May, said he had nothing to add before walking out. He continues to back the coach he appointed on 18 February, yet after ordering a stricter schedule with an early lockdown and double sessions he eased off, switching to more tactical and video work.

Nayef Aguerd, CJ Egan-Riley, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Bilal Nadir, Igor Paixao and Amine Gouiri are in treatment and out for Sunday. Quinten Timber and Tochukwu Nnadi returned to training this week after minor issues.

The team hotel plan, first set for Thursday then Friday, was pushed to Saturday after McCourt met two small groups at La Commanderie and discussed the season and the stakes against Nice. He felt his message landed, and approved a standard camp after Saturday afternoon training. Players, just back from a long Marbella camp, welcomed the call.

Selection calls could follow. Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg is under scrutiny with few midfield alternatives, Nnadi could be the surprise, and Facundo Medina may reclaim the armband. Beye praised Medina’s daily standards and commitment after the Argentine’s sweat-and-guts broadside, saying his influence suits OM’s balance and identity.

Source: L'Équipe