Posted on November 3, 2021 at 4.30 p.m. by Arthur Montagne After a very eventful summer during which he refused to leave OM, Duje Caleta-Car was no longer in the plans of Jorge Sampaoli and seemed to be heading for a difficult season. But the Croatian international is back in the foreground, and he intends to justify the trust his coach has placed in him. Duje Caleta-Car 2021 is going through a very complicated year which began with a big disappointment. Last January, Liverpool had effectively sent an offer of around € 26m in order to recruit the rock of Sibenik and thus compensate for his problems in a sector of play devastated by injuries. But the OM declined this proposal. A blow for the Croatian international, immediately followed by a second with the departure of André Villas-Boas then the appointment of Jorge Sampaoli who does not seem to be the biggest fan of Duje Caleta-Car. And for good reason, the Argentinian technician called for many reinforcements to this post this summer with the arrivals of William Saliba and Luan Peres , not to mention the final transfer Leonardo Balerdi . Therefore, a departure this summer seemed to be the most obvious solution, especially since the OM wanted to part with the former defender of Salzburg in order to replenish his funds. Offers of around € 15M have arrived from Wolverhampton and Valence . But this time, it was Duje Caleta-Car who repelled them, which would have annoyed Pablo Longoria . So much so that the Croatian found himself on the bench throughout the start of the season and seemed to be heading for a very complicated season with more than limited playing time. But quite unexpectedly, the situation is totally reversed. Indeed, since the beginning of October, Duje Caleta-Car has made a resounding comeback in the plans of Jorge Sampaoli . First holder in Angers to blow the holders, the Croatian finally settled permanently in the typical defense of OM . With William Saliba in particular, he forms a formidable rearguard since since the return of Caleta-Car in the starting lineup on October 17 against Lorient , the Marseillais conceded only two goals, including one from the penalty spot. All in four matches. A return to form that comes at the right time as OM take on Lazio Rome Thursday night in a crucial match in the Europa League. Present at a press conference on this occasion, Duje Caleta-Car returned to his rise to power after a more than complicated summer: “Of course I feel good, I'm in my best shape again. I have lived through difficult months, but now I have regained the confidence, I am happy to find the team and to be able to help them. I am enjoying now, it was a difficult time, especially in August. It was a mixed feeling because at the same time I was a dad. I've never doubted myself, I'm very happy to play at the Vélodrome again, to train guys. The coach trusts me. I can say that I will give my best for the team. “A confidence that he also absolutely wants to justify on the ground. “As soon as you start playing, everything is easier, it gave me more confidence. I can't wait to prove that what I do in training works in a match, ”adds Caleta-Car before discussing his role in the three-way defense set up by Jorge Sampaoli : “The three-way defense was something new, I hadn't played three behind. We adapted and now we all feel good in this system. We work a lot on that in training. I prefer the axis in the three-way defense, but I can also play right axis or left axis, it doesn't matter. What still seemed improbable a few weeks ago is now concrete. From junk, Duje Caleta-Car has become indispensable to OM . 
After his abortive transfer, Caleta-Car relishes his return to the forefront
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