Baup backs persistent Marseille

24 September 2012 04:16

Marseille head coach Elie Baup has praised his side's persistence after they ground out a 1-0 win against Evian in Ligue 1.

The victory in front of their home crowd was Marseille's sixth in a row, maintaining their 100 percent start to the season and they are top of the table, four points clear of Lyon.

Marseille had just one more shot than Evian and could only manage 52 percent possession as the visitors piled on the pressure and while Baup conceded his side 'suffered a lot', he was pleased with the way they got the job done.

"Well, sometimes, it's just about the three points... once again we played our hearts out and we've suffered," Baup said.

"Our opponents put a lot of pressure on us, had good rhythm at key moments and were very committed as we expected.

"So we suffered a lot."

Baup argued Marseille's persistence has been evident already this season, citing his side's recovery in their 2-2 Europa League draw away to Fenerbahce as another example.

Marseille scored two goals in the last 21 minutes to draw, including a 94th-minute header from Andre Ayew to complete the comeback.

"Our comeback in our Europa League game against Fenerbahce was good," Baup said.

"We snatched it with lots of heart and enthusiasm, and tonight we may have been pressured but we never gave up, and it was because of the same morale we demonstrated today that we won."

Marseille's next Ligue 1 fixture is a trip to Valenciennes on Sunday.