“I take responsibility, and not just for the defeat. I can’t get my team to play both at home and away. I said it to Medhi Benatia (sports advisor) and Pablo Longoria (president), I come from the street, I say things as they are: if the problem is me, I am ready to surrender my contract, I’m leaving without the money, I don’t care, I’m not a fake person.”
These words from Roberto De Zerbi after
the defeat of Olympique de Marseille against AJ Auxerre (1-3) had thrown into doubt the short-term future of the Italian technician. But water has flowed under the bridge and De Zerbi was able to digest this setback during the international break. Now calm, the OM coach reassured his supporters.
“I didn’t flee Shakhtyor Donetsk when Putin bombed kyiv, Ukraine, so I won’t do it here either”
Before the match against Lens, Roberto De Zerbi rejected the idea of slamming the door, formalizing his desire to stay for the long term. But once again, he used very strong words to do so. “ We had to work mainly on intensity and little on tactical work. We leave with the certainty that we have a strong team, even if we know what we must do to progress. I do not accept a result like the one against Auxerre. I didn’t use strong words but just took responsibility. I didn’t flee Shakhtyor Donetsk when Putin bombed kyiv, Ukraine, so I won’t do it here either. »
“ I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic, I am realistic, continued the technician. I think we are going to play a difficult match (in Lens on Saturday), we can do better than in Nantes (2-1 victory) and Montpellier (5-1 victory). The match against Lens will be difficult but we have the qualities to put in a good match. When I say that, I’m not talking about playing a match like Auxerre (1-3, November 8) at home. This team has the qualities to play better, at home, of course, but also away“, he concluded.
