Olympique de Marseille was scuttled on Wednesday on the pitch at Sporting Lisbon. While they had the match in hand and logically led 1-0 thanks to Igor Paixao's splendid goal, the Ciel et Blanc had to play the second half following the controversial exclusion of Emerson Palmieri just before the break for a simulation in the area.
The exit of the former Chelsea player prompted Roberto De Zerbi to review his plans and two players paid the price Mason Greenwood and Arthur Vermeeren, replaced by Amir Murillo and Matt O'Riley, the transalpine technician intending to keep his five-man defense.
“We had to defend with five players. Between Greenwood and Paixao, the one who had more characteristics to attack and defend was Paixao, justified the Marseille coach at the microphone of Canal+ at the end of the meeting. Last year, when we were 10 against OL, Greenwood had a lot of trouble as a center forward. »
“Roberto De Zerbi was really bad tonight”
But the choices of the former Brighton coach did not convince observers. Quite the contrary. “When you take a red, you often want to change something, but sometimes it’s not worth it, reacted Eric Di Meco at the microphone of RMC. There, you play with three central defenders for the only Luis Suarez opposite. He may have become a big box player at Sporting, but you can move to two central defenders with Weah on the left and Pavard on the right. Why change? »
And the analysis was the same on Daniel Riolo's side. “De Zerbi's management of the match is more than criticizable, it is a total failure. In terms of responsibilities, it remains Emerson, who made a big mistake, but the coach should normally be there to catch you. He was really bad tonight. If I really have to take a player out, I'll take Aubameyang out.” he thundered, not hesitating to insist: “I will never take Greenwood out of this match. How is this possible? I didn't understand and I didn't understand the rest. He removed himself from the possibilities of counterattacks to lock. It absolutely didn't work. Now, the rest of the Champions League becomes perilous. »
