This season, nothing is spared at Olympique de Marseille. The last episode of this explosive saga ended on Saturday evening with a punchy outing from Medhi Benatia, who pointed out the attitude of the players during the very important clash against FC Lorient (2-0 defeat). Brittany is definitely not doing very well at the Olympians this season. It was there that the first turning point of the year took place with the famous fight between Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot in the locker room after the 1-0 loss to Stade Rennais on August 15. We didn’t see the two players again in the Marseille jersey. For the Englishman, who joined Bologna, it wasn’t really a surprise. His departure was in the pipeline long before this fight. For the Frenchman, it was a little more surprising.
Rabiot continues to shine in Italy
Arriving free in Marseille in September 2024 after his free departure from Juventus, the former PSG player threw himself completely into the project. A very important player for Roberto De Zerbi, the Duke finished his first year with a record of 10 goals and 6 assists in 31 appearances in all competitions. Leader on the pitch and in the locker room, we imagined him staying a little longer on the Canebière. In the end, he didn’t even stay a full year. After 1 appearance this season, he left OM, who had made a good catch by attracting him. But the “Rowebiot” affair changed everything. If RDZ changed his mind and tried to keep him, management ultimately decided for his departure. For some supporters, this was justified. For others, it was a very big mistake.
His experience, his qualities and his level would have been a plus in a season where the club is playing in the Champions League. But ultimately, the French international returned to Italy, where he found Massimiliano Allegri at AC Milan. A choice that the 31-year-old player, like the Rossoneri, absolutely does not regret. This season, the midfielder has already totaled 6 goals and 5 assists in 27 appearances in all competitions in the Lombard jersey. Sunday against Hellas Verona (1-0), he shined with a very important goal in the race to qualify for the next Champions League. The Italian press praised it like the Corriere dello Sport who gave it a 7, the best score.
Milan rubs his hands
“A 3-point goal, the sixth of his season. Once again decisive. Together with Modric, he is the backbone, not only of the midfield, but of the whole team. In another article, the transalpine media added that “Milan beat Verona thanks to a new feat from Rabiot who is above”. For his part, La Gazzetta dello Sport also congratulated the Duke for his work with a 7.5. “The best. He had to be forgiven for the poor performance against Udinese. He succeeded with a goal that decided the victory”specifies the pink paper publication. Essential to the Rossoneri, who are second in Serie A and close to a return to C1, Adrien Rabiot is making a success of his return to the boot.
This is the opinion of Michele Tossani, journalist for Tuttosport. According to him, Olympique de Marseille lost big by letting go of the French midfielder. “Adrien Rabiot has been one of the best midfielders in the championship this season. He brings his technique, his personality, his tactical intelligence and goals too. In vertical football like that of Allegri, it is the ideal environment. I think Marseille regrets his departure. The same goes for Rowe.” In the Marseille city, we actually feel certain regrets as explained Provencewhich is still closely following the Rabiot case. “The former OM player still shines on the other side of the Alps. Sunday, on the pitch of Hellas Verona (0-1), the French international allowed AC Milan to win by scoring the only goal of the match with his left foot just before the break.
Marseille has not forgotten him
Provence adds: “This is Adrien Rabiot’s sixth goal in the league since the start of the season in 24 appearances. Enough to give a smile to AC Milan fans while OM supporters, from whom he was unceremoniously exfiltrated after the first day of the championship in Rennes, can legitimately harbor regrets. Journalist for Maritima and OM specialist, Karim Attab explains to us everything the club lost by letting the Frenchman go: “in terms of leadership and in the role of locker room boss, he was still very listened to, very respected. It brought a lot of calm and serenity. He spoke a lot about demands. So of course, we will not forget August 15, the match in Rennes, and the problems. But before that, he had been someone whose words carried. I remember the interview he gave after the match against Reims where he said that if there were players who didn’t want to go to the Champions League, they had to let those who wanted to be on the pitch. So here is the impact he could have in a locker room, in addition to his connections with the coach (De Zerbi) and Medhi Benatia.
He continues: “As for the pitch, even if it was not necessarily used in a place where he had been trained, he was still capable of scoring a lot of goals. We must realize today that midfielders no longer score at OM. We have Greenwood, Aubameyang, Paixão and Gouiri who score. But the current circles no longer score. Rabiot was able to score 9 goals last year in Ligue 1. We must also note his impact in the game, his way of organizing things. It was an important relay and it is true that when the team opposite saw Adrien Rabiot, they said to themselves that it might be a little more complicated. Honestly, I think that if Rabiot had stayed, even if it’s difficult to bring it down to one man, OM would not be at this level of performance. On the Marseille side, some believe that he is missing because he is a good player and that he has not really been replaced. But in the locker room, we don’t talk about it that much. What is certain is that AC Milan are now taking advantage of his qualities.
