Officially, the sacred union is decreed at Olympique de Marseille. While the team flew away for prolonged green in Italy in order to best prepare the final sprint in the Champions League race, President Pablo Longoria has multiplied the messages of support towards his coach, Roberto de Zerbi, saying that the internship's decision was “collective” and that the coach had “everything (s)”. However, behind this unit facade, a much firmer message would have been internally passed to the Italian technician, as revealed RMC Sport. A message that sounds like a real pressure.
At the heart of this message, a strong conviction hammered by Marseille leaders. Still according to the same media, the latter “Are convinced that they have made their coach a team largely capable of looking for second place or at least the podium. »» And the following precision is crucial and heavy with meaning: “Whatever the vagaries of a season, and even if some people are missing, especially in defense. »» Clearly, despite the injuries and the difficulties encountered, the management considers that the current workforce is sufficiently armed to achieve the minimum objective set. No question, therefore, of hiding behind absences or circumstances.
Zerbi's credit to OM is not unlimited.
This internal requirement reported contrasts with the very smooth public discourse of Pablo Longoria, which denies any deterioration of his relationship with De Zerbi and praises
“Unity” Work carried out with Medhi Benatia and the coach. If the Olympian president takes care to protect his coach against the “Attempts at disunity”
Exterior, the internal message seems much more direct: the results are expected, and the podium objective (or better) is considered to be achievable with the players present.
Longoria fixes the ultimatum: de zerbi must deliver the C1 … or leave
This recall to the implicit order could also be explained by some past frictions or questions. The management deemed sometimes too flexible by the management of certain cases (supposed nonchalance of Luis Henrique or Greenwood), or the comments of Zerbi on the profile of his defenders who could have irritated Medhi Benatia, could encourage managers to clearly reaffirm their expectations as to the potential of the team they built.
In conclusion, if the public support of Longoria to De Zerbi is undeniable and strategic at a time when OM is playing its season, the conviction reported from management on the intrinsic quality of the workforce puts considerable pressure on the shoulders of the Italian coach. He now knows that he will be judged on his ability to reach the podium, whatever the circumstances. The “Ritiro” operation in Italy therefore appears to be an attempt at the last chance, under the demanding gaze of its leaders.
