The defeat against Auxerre (1-3), on November 8, marked a turning point in OM’s season. Under pressure, Roberto De Zerbi even threatened to resign. But far from giving in to the crisis, the Italian coach was able to rectify the situation and give his team a strong identity. Today, OM finally seem to be digesting the ambitious precepts of their coach, culminating with four victories in the last five matches.
From Zerbi, a new system for new momentum
Faced with criticism, De Zerbi quickly reacted by reestablishing a 3-4-2-1 tactical pattern. This configuration, adopted in November during the victory against Lens (3-1), made it possible to find a better balance between defensive solidity and offensive dynamism. Geoffrey Kondogbia, pillar of the midfield, brings a physical presence and valuable experience, while Valentin Rongier stabilizes the whole with his tactical rigor.
On the offensive side, Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood, described as “leg players” by their coach, play a key role in breaking the opposing lines thanks to their mobility. Quentin Merlin, although still capable of improvement defensively, established himself in his role as left piston, notably thanks to his opening score against Lille, the result of a choreographed sequence.
De Zerbi’s OM in full recovery.
A collective rise in power
OM’s progress is not only measured in results. Against Saint-Étienne or Lille, the team demonstrated better cohesion and an ability to dictate the tempo of the match. “We found the team that controls the game,” De Zerbi recently said, satisfied to see his ideas take shape.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Center forwards Neal Maupay and Elye Wahi still need to step up to convert more chances. Nevertheless, with a team now stabilized and an assertive style of play, OM seem ready to take on the great challenges to come.
