“When I am 100%, I have no doubt that I will be able to bring a lot to this team“. A few weeks before the winter break, Adrien Rabiot, who arrived free in September and short of competition in his debut, promised the best to Marseille supporters. After the words, the former Parisian took action.
“The match against Italy with the France team did me good”
Since his return to Blue in mid-November (editor's note: he came on 19 minutes from the end against Israel and played the entire Nations League match in Italy with a double to his name), the Duke has found his enthusiasm, his intensity in the game and his efficiency. In December, he scored two goals (against Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 then in the Coupe de France) and delivered a valuable assist to Lille in the race for the podium.
In January, Adrien Rabiot did not take his foot off the gas, quite the contrary. Against Le Havre (5-1) on January 5, the 2022 world vice-champion played a strong match, particularly on a physical level, thus putting the Norman midfielders on the ropes.
Rebelote last Saturday in Rennes (1-2), where he once again showed himself ready to fight. His excellent timing notably allowed him to get the better of Lorenz Assignon after the break (49th) and place an unstoppable header for Brice Samba, thus sealing a third consecutive victory for Marseille in all competitions.
“It took me a little while to get back into rhythm. I am in the process of regaining all my abilities. The match against Italy with the France team did me goodconfided the ex-Turin player at a press conference on November 22. Roberto De Zerbi? He understood that I have volume, that I like to move around the field, that I am a box-to-box midfielder capable of being at the conclusion and defending in my area.”
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“He has managed to already be an important player for us.”
For his part, Roberto De Zerbi does not fail to publicly praise his midfielder whenever he has the opportunity. “It’s really a discovery for me. He is a champion who has this adolescent humility in quotes. We are lucky to have a player like him, as we are lucky with Pierre-Emile Höjbjergaffirmed the Italian technician at the end of the year at a press conference. He has managed to already be an important player for us.”
Positioned very high last Saturday in Rennes, Adrien Rabiot is versatile in the Marseille midfield. And there again, it is a satisfaction for his trainer. “Whether he plays on the right or on the left, it doesn't change much. He is capable of playing on both ends. We try to make the most of its characteristics. He can play well alongside Mason Greenwood. He can score. Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Valentin Rongier score less. It can really be decisive for us.”
More than ever since the start of the season, Adrien Rabiot needs to be watched like milk on the fire. Thus, the Lille team will have to be extra vigilant on Tuesday at the Vélodrome if they want to hope to validate their ticket for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.
