Mamadou Niang: 'OM must not be afraid to attack this PSG side' | OneFootball

The former Olympique de Marseille striker Mamadou Niang sat down for a chat about Igor Tudor's current Marseille team and looked ahead to their Classique at home to arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 25 headliner.

First of all Mamadou, what are you up to these days? "I am the co-founder of a structure (Champions Nation Group) that was created a little over a year ago in which I work with two players' agents. We mainly deal with young players who are still in youth academies. Personally, I play an advisory role to try to help them make the right career choices and improve their sporting projects." Does OM still hold a special place in your heart? "Of course it does! I still live in the region, in Aix-en-Provence. I've never cut ties with Marseille. In any case, even before I wore the club's colors, OM was already my favourite club. So, obviously, it still is." What do you think of Igor Tudor's OM? "They are an OM side who play entertaining football. Every time they play, you can see that something is happening in this finding a place in the hearts of French people. Many people really enjoy watching OM play."

TOULOUSE FC - OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (2-3) / Highlights (TFC - OM) 2022/2023

What are your best memories of the Classique? "It's the victories, of course. At home or at the Parc des Princes, they are good memories. In my time, we often had positive outcomes. I only lost two games to Paris during my time at OM, but they were decisive games, like the 2006 Coupe de France final (2-1 defeat)." Were there any victories that made a particular impression you? "There are two: the 3-1 victory at the Parc, on 10 September, 2006, with Franck Ribéry, Samir Nasri and Mickaël Pagis; and the 3-0 win in Paris in 2010 (28 February) under Didier Deschamps. We really showed that we were superior to PSG that season. We had a very good squad, we got along very well and we were collectively a level above them. That's what allowed us to get the results we got." 'Alexis Sanchez? It's really amazing what he's doing at his age' How did you feel about OM's recent 2-1 victory over PSG in the Coupe de France? "I was at the stadium for it. It was really the right time to beat this Paris team. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, who would have given OM a lot of trouble, really worked in Marseille's favour. They were able to press forward and put a lot of physical pressure on the Parisian players. It was a good game. Paris had a good game too, despite the absence of key players, but the victory was a deserved one for OM." Do you think that OM can win the Coupe de France this season? "When you eliminate PSG in the round of 16, you can certainly have great ambitions. But be careful, there is nothing more difficult to win than the Coupe de France. Matches follow one another but are not the same. It's really difficult to go all the way in this competition. I hope that after eliminating Paris, Marseille will have the ambition to finally win this Coupe de France which has eluded them for so many years [last victory in 1989]." The two teams will meet again in the championship this Sunday. Should OM approach this need clash in the same way? "First of all, they have to go into the game with the same state of mind. We must not be afraid to attack this Parisian team. Monaco also showed it the following week by getting forward a lot. Marseille must be inspired by that. It is true that with Kylian Mbappé, it will be a totally different game, where we will have to leave less space behind the defence and press a little less high. But Marseille will have every chance because they are a team with heart, who gives their all and gets forward."

CLERMONT FOOT 63 - OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (0-2) / Highlights (CF63 - OM) 2022/2023

Which Marseille player do you particularly like this season? "There is no one in particular because many of them are having a very good season. Up front, Alexis Sanchez, in addition to his experience and titles, has brought a lot of drive. He shows the way for the other players through his work rate, his pressure, his self-sacrifice and his runs. It's really incredible what he's doing at his age (34). He is an example to follow. After that, there are also elements that are emerging, such as Valentin Rongier, who is very consistent, and Jordan Veretout, who is coming on strong after a difficult start. On the wings, Jonathan Clauss and Nuno Tavares are essential. I think that, even if individuals stand out, it is more the collective that makes the difference." You played with Samuel Gigot at Arles-Avignon during the 2014-15 season. How do you view his debut at OM? "I'm happy that he became one of the fan favourites. He's a local guy and he's always been an OM fan. When we were together at Arles-Avignon, his dream was to play one day for Olympique de Marseille. He thought it was unattainable but he finally managed to achieve it by doing the right thing at his previous clubs. Today, we see him at the club, with his passion and his qualities; he is a very good defender. And, whether he is having a good day or not, he will always give everything on the field. I'm really happy with what's happening for him. He deserves it. It's a great reward for him." 'When we think of Olympique de Marseille, we think of Jean-Pierre Papin' Are you surprised by his performance? "No. I knew Samuel's qualities. Afterwards, we know very well that in this job, you always need a bit of luck and he managed to make the most of it. He was able to put in some very good performances abroad to be spotted and ended up being recruited by OM. At Arles-Avignon, he was a very promising defender." More generally, how do you judge the club's progress since the appointment of Pablo Longoria as president? "Very positively. When he was appointed, I was very happy because the club had been in a real mess. It took a little while, but he was able to put things in order. You can't fix everything overnight, but you can see that he does a lot of good for the club, that he brings a lot of serenity. Even if some players have left, he has managed to replace them in terms of quality and to build a coherent team. He is really a very good president. The club is more than on the right track." How do you feel about Jean-Pierre Papin's return to OM as an advisor to Pablo Longoria? "I am very happy about Jean-Pierre's return because he is a key figure at OM. When we think of Olympique de Marseille, we think of Jean-Pierre Papin. He is someone who can give a lot of advice, not only to the strikers but also to all the players. He has experience of playing at big clubs and at the international level. He is a Ballon d'Or winner; he knows what he is talking about. His return is more than favourable for OM." What links do you maintain with Senegal? "A very close link. I'm often there when I travel. I know the coach, Aliou Cissé, very, very well. I also talk with Pape Thiaw, who just won the 2022 CHAN. I have a lot of ties with the federation but I have no activity related to it. I simply accompanied the squad during AFCON in Cameroon. I stayed with them for a month to give them my support and to show, with other former players, that we were in solidarity with the new generation in order to finally bring this first star to the national team. And it was done."

Is the popularity of OM still strong there? "Of course it is! In any case, OM has always been the most popular club in Africa, not only in Senegal. It was one of the first clubs where African players performed in the French championship and even at the European level. That's why it has always been followed very closely in Africa. Even if PSG has seen its rating increase since the arrival of the Qataris, OM remains the most popular club in Africa."

>> LIVE MATCH TEXT COMMENTARY, LINE-UPS AND STATS >> FIXTURES/RESULTS: Round 25