While the end of the season promises to be tense, Olympique de Marseille has chosen to give a Roman parenthesis. Three days and three nights at the Hotel Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria, a few steps from the AS Rome training center. Officially, this is a cohesion internship, to strengthen links in a group that has experienced three coaches this season. But while the race for the Champions League is in full swing, the choice to go into exile in Italy is difficult to go to part of the supporters.
On social networks, several voices rise to denounce a poorly chosen timing. OM is not yet guaranteed to finish on the podium, and each point will count by the end of the championship.
“They go to Italy when they have done nothing yet”groans a regular at the velodrome. For many, this internship in a luxury hotel is more like an early reward than a real work process. Especially since management, with Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia in mind, has never hidden his taste for communication operations.
Cohesion or disconnection? The internship in Rome of OM is debated
Roberto de Zerbi, at the origin of this initiative, is not his first attempt. The Italian coach had already tested these stays abroad during his visit to Brighton. Again, he had bet the cut to re -mobilize a group. For the most indulgent, this trip to Rome is above all a way of offering a last breath to a proven wardrobe, and to refocus efforts around a clear objective: to return to the Champions League.
OM: this trip to Rome that causes a scandal to fans
But one thing is certain: this internship will only find its justification through the results. From the trip to Lille, then against Rennes and Le Havre, OM will not have the right to make mistakes. In the event of poor performance, the Roman trip could quickly emerged as a symbol of disconnection or arrogance. On the contrary, a qualification in the Champions League would give credit to De Zerbi and his staff.
This stay in Italy, if presented as a sporting choice, is also a brand operation. OM treats its image, including abroad. But in a city like Marseille, where the popular link remains central, these “premium club” type initiatives divide. For some fans, the club must first convince on the field before buying standing getaways. At the time of truth, only the final classification will decide this debate.
