[monks data]

Ligue 1

Feb 27, 2015 at 7.30pm UK

Marseille
2-3
Caen

Ayew (45'), Gignac (64')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Seube (67'), Sala (70'), Benezet (87')

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Marcelo Bielsa: 'I won't change attacking principles'

By Sam McEvoy, Reporter | 28 February 2015

Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa defends his attacking tactics but takes responsibility for his side's 3-2 defeat at home to Caen on Friday night.

Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa has defended his attacking tactics after his side lost 3-2 to Caen on Friday night.

The Argentine is taking the blame for the home defeat but refuses to change his attacking philosophy, after he played four forward-thinking midfielders behind striker Michy Batshuayi.

"There is undoubtedly a balance that is needed that I am not able to get across to my team but these ideas will not be abandoned because I think they are good. My way of playing is about attacking but that does not necessarily mean defending badly," the 59-year-old told reporters.

"We were not secure defensively in either half. We were vulnerable to their attacks in both halves. The very attacking system that I put in place created an imbalance that made it harder for us to win the ball back. Caen counter-attacked us a lot.

"The number of players we had in the opposition half during attacks did not help us improve our recovery of the ball and weakened us defensively. I take responsibility for the fact that the team was not balanced. I can't make the players responsible for the situation that I am describing."

The result leaves Marseille four points behind league leaders Lyon and two points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain in second.

Bielsa's side have also played a game more than both Lyon and PSG.