Furious after OM’s 1-3 defeat by Auxerre at the Velodrome on Friday evening, Marseille’s coach vented his frustration at his team’s difficulties at home.
The walls of the Velodrome shook on Friday night, after the 1-3 loss to Auxerre. “I come from the street, I’m direct, I don’t talk for the sake of talking. I said it to Medhi Benatia (sports advisor, editor’s note) and Pablo Longoria (President of OM) If I’m the problem, I’m ready to leave. I’ll leave the money and return my contract”.said Roberto De Zerbi in a press conference. “I came to Marseille for the Velodrome. And I can’t get the players to give here what I see in training and away. So it’s my fault, it’s my responsibility”.continued the Italian.
“He’s the right coach. It’s the players who have to give the answers”.a member of the club’s management told AFP later that evening. Trailing 3-0 at the break to Auxerre, his team eventually lost 3-1, two weeks after having already been beaten 3-0 at the Velodrome by Paris SG. “I don’t live for 2nd place, the league table or even victory. I don’t give a damn. Playing at the Velodrome is a privilege. I want to be able to pass on to the people who work with me what I think about soccer. And I can’t.”said De Zerbi.
The players are strong, but they need to understand quickly that to play here, you need something else.
Roberto De Zerbi
“There are players with courage and personality. They can improve. If you consider yourself lucky to be in this stadium and in this club, then you can give a little more. But if you just work like an employee, without passion, then it’s hard. The players are strong, but they have to understand quickly that to play here, you need something else”.said the Italian coach. “You have to understand the city, the history of this club, give a little more, don’t question, don’t doubt, be like kamikazes…. If you doubt, it’s hard to play.”.
“If I’m the problem, I’m out of here.”he repeated, before going on to talk about the different faces of his team at home and away. “I can’t understand it, it’s driving me crazy”.he concluded. Questioned a few minutes later in the mixed zone, Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi defended his coach. “Is the problem with the coach? No, it’s not him, it’s us, the players, who have to take responsibility. He makes the effort, gives his heart, we have to put in more to turn the page”.said the Argentinian defender.
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