The absence of Leonardo Balerdi, suspended for the trip to Auxerre, could have redistributed the cards in central defense. However, Roberto de Zerbi has decided: he will remain faithful to his system and his trusted men. A strong choice which confirms that a certain defender remains behind in his plans.
Of Zerbi prefers to wait
Arrived in January with the ambition to relaunch itself after its mixed passage in Saudi Arabia, Luiz Felipe struggles to make a place in the defensive hierarchy of OM. Despite his European experience and his physical qualities, he failed to win. Even with the suspension of Balerdi, the Marseille coach prefers a hinge made up of Murillo, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Derek Cornelius. A clear signal on the lack of confidence of the staff towards it.
If the Brazilian had a few opportunities to illustrate, especially in the Coupe de France, his performances never seemed to completely convince Zerbi. Followers of a clean recovery and a mobile defense, the Italian puts more on players capable of meeting his tactical requirements. Kondogbia, repositioned in defense, quickly established itself by its versatility and its reading of the game, while Cornelius brings appreciable air solidity.
De Zerbi does not give his confidence easily.
An uncertain future at OM?
For Luiz Felipe, the situation becomes worrying. While hoping to relaunch his career in Marseille, he finds himself confined to a replacement role without real prospect of evolution. With a summer transfer window that could reshape the workforce, it will quickly have to prove that it deserves its place, under penalty of seeing its Marseille adventure turning short.
In the meantime, he will have to settle for the bench against Auxerre, observing his teammates defend without him. A situation which says a lot about its current status and which raises the question of its future under the orders of De Zerbi.
