Baup expecting tough Toulouse trip

Olympique Marseille manager Elie Baup is expecting a tough test when his side travel to Toulouse on Saturday.

Toulouse sit 12th on the table and have endured a winless run of three games with their last victory an impressive 3-0 win over Lyon.

But Baup is refusing to underestimate their opponents, a side he formerly managed, with their win over the league leaders his main cause for concern.

“During their last two games Toulouse were not the team that we saw against Lyon. I think against us we’ll see the Toulouse side which beat Lyon,” he said.

“(We will see) the side who scored three times and who had a great midfield and good wing play with Franck Tabanou able to create chances. We need to prepare for the team who beat Lyon.”

Baup’s men are currently third in Ligue 1 and will be hoping for a positive result as they look to keep pace with Paris-Saint Germain and Olympique Lyonnais in a heavily congested table, a situation that hasn’t been lost on the 57-year-old.

“The championship is still to be decided. I feel that PSG are starting to be more efficient, to score a lot, and to improve their attacking play. We also have a good attack but we have to be more efficient. Many teams are up and down, so it’s really close from first to 10th,” he said.

“For example, Lorient are now fourth. Although they had a bad start this season, they got a good string of results and now they are up there. It’s the same for Lille and Montpellier.

“This Ligue 1 campaign is really open. I’ll say again that PSG should outclass everyone, but behind them it’s still very open.”