On October 1, OM announced that their left back, Emerson Palmieri, considered that his Brazilian teammate Igor Paixão had rediscovered the qualities that could turn matches around. This statement comes as the team, which has had a difficult start to the season, is finally starting to show signs of regularity in the left lane, before the meeting against Toulouse scheduled for Sunday evening in Ligue1.
BrunoGenesio, the Olympian coach, has long insisted that OM should not count on new recruitments to fill their gaps. He therefore focused on the players already present in the squad, notably Emerson and Paixão. The left-back highlighted the closeness and friendship he shares with the Brazilian winger, which he believes makes it easier for them to play in sync on the left side. Emerson added that Paixão has regained his identity as a player, which is reflected both in the offensive phase and in the defensive phase, where he helps cover spaces and score decisive points.
The more experienced Paixão has also been a mentor to Emerson, who went through a difficult period early in the season. Emerson admitted that Paixão had struggled to express his qualities, but that he had gradually regained his confidence and performance, particularly after his return from Sunderland. Emerson expressed satisfaction with his partner's progress and said he looked forward to seeing Paixão continue to improve.
In a context where OM remains fragile, Genesio defended his players, notably AngelGomes, after an incident with Le Havre. The coach recalled that Gomes produced good results despite criticism, emphasizing the importance of not putting pressure on a single player to explain the team's difficulties.
With three consecutive victories already recorded, OM are aiming for a fourth victory by winning the match against Toulouse. An additional victory would allow the Phocaeans to consolidate their position in the ranking and continue their rise. The Emerson-Paixão duo, considered one of the team's major assets, will now have to confirm their form and effectiveness over time to support OM's ambitions in the championship.