For its comeback in the Champions League after three years of absence, Olympique de Marseille was not spoiled by the draw, with an inaugural trip this Tuesday on the mythical lawn of Real Madrid. A huge challenge against a team led by a Kylian Mbappé in verve and transformed by Xabi Alonso. However, on the eve of this shock, it is not fear that dominated the Marseille press conference, but rather a uninhibited confidence and an ambition displayed. The coach, Roberto de Zerbi, set the tone, but it was above all his captain, Leonardo Balerdi, who summed up the group's state of mind with a daring sentence to say the least.
The Marseille paradox: stronger in front of the giants?
Asked about how to approach such an opponent, the Argentinian defender revealed what could be the hidden force of this OM: ” We play better against the best teams. Our weakness is sometimes against less strong teams. A surprising statement that portrays a team that is transcend in the big meetings. Far from fear of the host of Madrid stars, Balerdi sees it as a stimulating “challenge”: ” We are ready to play against these great players (…) You have to be smart. OM does not come to Madrid as a victim, but with the conviction of being able to compete.
De Zerbi: “pride” but “no fear”
This ambitious speech echoes that of his coach. Roberto de Zerbi insisted on “pride” to find the C1 after three years of absence, but immediately warned: ” Tomorrow is not a party: it's the start of something difficult. There is no question of doing tourism to the Bernabéu. The Italian was clear about the expected state of mind: ” We are not afraid. We have a high quality in the workforce, the pride of playing the C1 again. He expects his players to evolve “with ambition”, even if the game plan will need to be “attentive” in the face of the Madrid strike force.
OM: no fear, but ambition against Real Madrid
A game plan to thwart the new real
OM has obviously studied its opponent well. Leonardo Balerdi noted the evolution of Real Madrid under the orders of Xabi Alonso: “ With the arrival of Xabi Alonso, they are more collective. All players must defend, it shows. An analysis that suggests that the Marseillais have prepared to face an organized and hard -working block, not just a sum of individuals. The key, according to Zerbi, will be the management of key moments and the ability to be effective in attack while remaining solid behind.
Marseille, outsider without complex
In conclusion, it is an OM without the slightest inferiority complex that will present itself on the lawn of the Santiago Bernabéu this Tuesday. The astonishing confidence displayed by Captain Leonardo Balerdi, coupled with the ambition and the lucidity of his coach Roberto de Zerbi, promises a much tighter opposition than what the paper could suggest. Marseille believes in its ability to sublimate itself to the greatest. The shock against Real Madrid will be the ultimate test to validate this theory.
