In a lengthy RMC Sport interview, Neal Maupay dissected his lack of finish in the 2‑1 defeat to PSG on September 20. Two clear chances slipped by, yet he claims his mental grit helped him leave that “turbulence zone” behind. Could he turn that frustration into fire?
Walking the Vélodrome corridors, Maupay admitted the loss stung and his personal performance felt wasted. “I wish I’d scored, I should have scored,” he told reporters moments after the 2‑1 setback. “As a striker, you must convert chances. I’d love to be like Kane or Haaland, netting 50 goals a season, but reality isn’t that simple.”
Bruno Genesio started him against PSG, and Maupay found two huge openings at the 38th and 62nd minutes when the score sat at 0‑0. A fortnight later, with Marseille set to face Troyes on Sunday at 20:45, the forward says the episode still lingers.
Maupay summed it up: “Surely it wasn’t an easy evening.” Will his renewed focus spark a turning point for Marseille this season?
He confesses, “I was marked because I wanted to do better.” He added, “I’d have loved to help the team seal a win after a great display in front of our fans. It would have been wonderful for everyone, so I felt the sting. I’m honest by nature; I don’t speak much to the press, but when I do I’m not afraid to be vulnerable.”
It wasn’t an easy night, yet Maupay stresses football brings tougher moments. “After a few days I reset, get back to work. My character and mindset, beyond pure talent, have driven my career to this Olympique de Marseille chapter.” For my money, his resilience proves he’s indispensable for the club’s ambitions.
The long international break gave him space to bury the September 20 heartbreak. Now he’s determined to look ahead. “I must keep perspective, acknowledge what we did well and where we slipped, and question myself daily,” the former Nice striker explained. “The game evolves, we age, new players arrive… but my inner strength and confidence keep me pushing forward, even on tougher evenings.” He aims to channel that resolve into Sunday’s crucial clash with Troyes.