Olympique de Marseille faced a significant setback in early 2026 when they narrowly lost the Trophée des Champions against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite this loss, many observers praised the team’s performance, noting their quality of play. Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, even acknowledged that Marseille was the stronger side on that occasion, signaling an optimistic start to the year.
Following this match, Marseille showcased their abilities in the Coupe de France, delivering an impressive 9-0 victory over underdog Bayeux. Moreover, the team made headlines in Ligue 1 with a resounding 5-2 win against Angers. However, their momentum was abruptly halted by a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.
Criticism of De Zerbi’s Strategy
Post-match reactions were critical of the tactics employed by coach Roberto De Zerbi, emphasizing a lack of verticality in their play. Ahead of the essential clash against Lens, De Zerbi addressed these criticisms during a press conference.
Defending His Team
- De Zerbi emphasized the team’s status as the best attacking side in Ligue 1, boasting 41 goals.
- He stated that Marseille ranked third in Europe for goals scored, based on statistics received in January.
- He acknowledged that while players share responsibility for poor performances, the team’s scoring capabilities should not be overlooked.
Concerning his remarks about defender Benjamin Pavard after the Liverpool match, De Zerbi sought to clarify any misunderstandings. He insisted that he was not criticizing Pavard, but rather pointing out that the player had opportunities to be more influential on the field. De Zerbi acknowledged the team’s poor performance against Liverpool and accepted his share of the blame while also asserting that the number of goals scored reflected their attacking strength.
This assertion highlights the expectation for Marseille to leverage their attacking prowess as they continue their campaign through 2026.
