Like almost two weeks ago, it ended in front of a half-empty stadium, and to boos from the remaining public. After having been clearly defeated at home by Paris Saint Germain (3-0) at the end of October, Olympique de Marseille (OM) sank again (3-1) at the Vélodrome, on Friday, November 8, in the inauguration of the 11th.my matchday of Ligue 1, against AJ Auxerre (AJA).
The harsh defeat suffered in the “Clásico” had hurt OM fans, but their fury was tinged with a touch of resignation against a rival that has had little success for many years. On Friday night, the whistles that took the Marseillais to the locker room at half-time, when the score was already 3-0 for Auxerre – identical scenario to the match against PSG – and at the end of the match were of pure anger and shame. .
OM’s Italian coach, Roberto De Zerbi, also let his frustration explode at a press conference. “I come from the street, I am direct, I don’t talk just to talk. I told Medhi Benatia [conseiller sportif] Pablo Longoria [président de l’OM] :If I’m the problem, I’m ready to go. I leave the money and return my contract. »
After this defeat suffered before the eyes of its American owner Frank McCourt, Marseille, runners-up behind PSG at 6 points, is within reach of Monaco (3my) and Lille (4my), who will play this weekend. Above all, the afternoon’s fiasco served to remind us that the project inaugurated this summer by the management and directed by Roberto De Zerbi was still, at best, in its foundations and that the task was immense.
“I came to Marseille for the Vélodrome, to play at the Vélodrome. And I can’t get the players here to give what I see in training and outside. So it’s my fault, it’s my responsibility.”criticized the Marseille coach, whose players have only won one game in five at home in the league.
barren possession
After the success achieved on Sunday in Nantes, OM and De Zerbi wanted to erase the slap received against Paris and start a new dynamic in the results and modalities; It’s a failure. from 10my Within a minute, Lilian Brassier was the first to sink. With a long ball without major difficulties, the Marseille centre-back became disoriented in space and allowed Lassine Sinayoko to open the scoring (1-0).
Falling behind was then the worst thing that could happen to OM, who no longer had much space at 0-0 and now faced two lines of five firmly planted in front of the Auxerre goalkeeper, Donovan Leon.
The Marseillais tried to move around the block, without achieving more than a sterile possession and a few half-chances. For promoted Auxerre, who did everything very well on Friday and rose to a nice sixth place, things were simpler: wait and counterattack. Before the break, the Burgundians did it twice, successfully: first Gaëtan Perrin (2-0, 43′).my) then by Hamed Traoré (3-0, 45my). In these two actions, Marseille defended terribly poorly and their weakness in this sector of the game could cost them dearly this season.
“This game is what we had worked for, but going 3-0 at halftime we couldn’t imagine it”acknowledged Christophe Pélissier, Auxerre coach.
“It’s driving me crazy”
Upon returning from the locker room, De Zerbi threw at Elye Wahi, Ismaël Koné and Ulisses García, but that didn’t change anything. Auxerre hit the post and continued to have the best chances.
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at 65my Within a minute, OM were 3-1 up, thanks to a penalty from Mason Greenwood and a handball from Clément Akpa. Wahi then harangued the twists, inviting the audience to strive and believe. Half an hour later, the OM center forward and his teammates only received whistles.
“Playing at the Vélodrome is a privilege. I want to be able to convey to the people who work with me what I think about football. And I can’t do it.”De Zerbi explained, before returning to the different face his team shows at home or away: “It’s hard for me to understand this, it’s driving me crazy. »
“The players are strong but they must quickly understand that to play here they need something more”developed by the Italian coach.
Questioned a few minutes later, Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi defended his coach. “Is the problem with the coach? No, it doesn’t come from him, it is us, the players, who must assume our responsibilities. “He makes the effort, he gives his heart, you have to put in more to turn the page.”declared the Argentine defender.
For its part, Auxerrois, now sixth, can enjoy this fourth consecutive game without losing, including three successes. “Marseille was the only L1 club against which I had never scored a point. I played them nine times and lost nine times. So I told the players to enjoy it.”joked Christophe Pélissier, former coach of Amiens and Lorient in particular.
