Deschamps: Points over style

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps says points are his priority, as his side prepares to clash with Nancy in Ligue 1 on Tuesday.

Marseille were largely disappointing in defeating Lorient 2-1 on Saturday, with two goals in the last six minutes on normal time needed to overcome their opponents, who finished with nine men.

Marseille have been criticised this season for their style of football, but Deschamps rejected those claims.

“Producing a game – what is it?” he asked on Monday. “It’s a label that sticks.”

He responded in a similar way when asked if front line, which includes Jordan Ayew and Loic Remy, lacks creativity: “What is creativity? The attackers are not creative,” he said. “They can be explosive or fast, they are there to make a difference, collectively or individually.”

“Creativity is making a good pass at the right time … but it can also come from deeper, there should always be a balance.”

“What interests me principally are points.”

Deschamps’ men lie in eighth on the Ligue 1 table and nine points from leaders Montpellier.