Roberto De Zerbi is putting his mark on OM. And the result is intriguing. Ten years after the remarkable passage of Marcelo Bielsa, the Italian coach seems to be following a surprisingly similar trajectory. Halfway through the season, one statistic in particular connects the two men and brings back memories of a defining era.
With 30 points in 15 matches, De Zerbi’s OM are moving forward on solid foundations. Although down compared to the 34 units collected by Bielsa at this stage in 2014-2015, the Olympians are just as formidable in one area: attack. With 32 goals scored, De Zerbi equals Bielsa’s OM, a performance which underlines the striking force of the Marseille team this season. This total also represents the club’s best offensive record over the last ten years.
De Zerbi equals Bielsa, but can he go further?
This statistical parallel is all the more striking since De Zerbi, who arrived this summer with a largely renewed squad, had to deal with numerous tactical adjustments. His hybrid 3-4-3 system, combining ball control and verticality, made it possible to get the best out of a group still under construction. “30 points for a team that was born a few months ago is very good,” confided the Italian technician, visibly satisfied with this rise in power.
A decade later, De Zerbi gives wings to OM like Bielsa
But everything is not perfect yet. Unlike Bielsa’s OM, who shone as much at home as away, De Zerbi’s team is struggling at the Vélodrome (only 9 points taken). A weakness compensated for by brilliant performances away from home: 7 victories in 8 trips, an exceptional record.
Ambitious but lucid, De Zerbi refuses to project himself too far ahead: “I just want to win the matches that come.” With a favorable schedule until the break, OM can still hope to finish this first part of the season with a bang. If the similarities with Bielsa continue to pile up, Marseille fans could well be dreaming of an even happier conclusion.
