Roberto De Zerbi launched a fine defense of Ligue 1 level on Friday in the face of criticism from abroad. But the Olympique de Marseille coach regretted that the championship was so poorly promoted or poorly sold by its leaders.
The tone is radically different but the message is close. In a different style from the fiery Adil Rami, Roberto De Zerbi indirectly responded to Cristiano Ronaldo and his criticisms of the level of Ligue 1. Present in front of the press on Friday, the OM coach firmly defended the Ligue 1 championship. France.
“It’s a championship that is stronger than what people outside of France might think,” assured the Italian technician. “But this championship is surely poorly sold by the people who manage it. Because Ligue 1, outside of France, has a reputation as a low-level championship. Whereas that is not at all the case.”
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Second in the Ligue 1 standings behind PSG, the only good team according to CR7, OM are finding their cruising speed under the direction of Roberto De Zerbi. Formerly of Brighton, Sassuolo or even Shakhtar, the Italian has traveled to Europe and can legitimately compare the levels of the different championships. In his eyes, the difference lies elsewhere.
“There are very strong players and very strong coaches, there are full stadiums and very warm atmospheres,” further underlined the Marseille technician two days before the reception of Le Havre at the Vélodrome. “But maybe this championship is sold poorly, sold less well than the Premier League which is the best championship in Europe or the Serie A or the Liga or the Bundesliga. I don't know if that's a problem management or a communication problem abroad.”
“In Italy, for example, no one sees OM matches because the French championship is not broadcast.”
Ligue 1 “not appreciated at its true value”
Above all, in this lack of recognition from Ligue 1, Roberto De Zerbi finds one of the reasons for the talent drain. If players are not highlighted enough internationally, and cannot benefit from higher salaries thanks to well-sold TV rights, it is difficult for them to spend their entire career in France.
“And it's a shame because there are very strong players who are then transferred to the Premier League, to Germany or to other championships when they could stay in France”, finally insisted Roberto De Zerbi on the L1 level. “There are very strong coaches who then leave.”
Before concluding: “France is a country that loves football, so it’s a shame that it’s not appreciated at its true value from the outside.”
Jean-Guy Lebreton with Florent Germain
