Even if their state of form has not really allowed Roberto De Zerbi to use them well since the start of the season, the injuries of Valentin Carboni (cruciate ligaments, season probably over) and Ismaël Koné (sprained ankle, date of return still uncertain) reduce Roberto De Zerbi’s choices in the heart of the game. Amine Harit is eagerly awaited in this sector. But other Olympians could have their role to play.
Finding the offensive flame again, despite injuries in this sector… This will be one of Roberto De Zerbi’s challenges from the resumption of the championship, this weekend in Montpellier (Sunday, at 8:45 p.m.). The break was marked by a hard blow with the serious knee injury of Valentin Carboni. The midfielder struggled to convince, of course, but the Italian technician was counting on the Argentinian in his attacking rotation and hoped for an increase in power from him. A new annoyance for “RDZ”, which especially regrets not having been able to count on its entire squad since the start of the season, notably with a lot of physical glitches and absences in defense. This time it is the midfield which is affected, particularly in the offensive sector. Before Carboni, Ismaël Koné had to join the infirmary for an as yet undetermined period, due to an ankle injury.
Amine Harit, the moment to convince
All eyes therefore naturally turn to a player to occupy the central midfielder position, in the attacking quartet set up by De Zerbi: Amine Harit. The Moroccan has been the main starter in this position since the start of the season. Despite 1 goal and 3 assists (+ a penalty caused in Brest), a few complicated matches were enough to once again cast doubt on the playmaker’s abilities to meet the expectations and statistical requirements of the Marseille coach. Harit, a teammate who is very popular in the locker room, and who did not want to leave OM this summer – despite some requests, and the feeling that the leaders would not keep him – is determined to prove, from this fall, that Marseille can count on him. At the start of the season, De Zerbi clearly announced that he expected statistics from him, namely goals and assists. The fact of having become one of the few central midfielders in the squad available at the moment will be double-edged: either Harit seizes his chance and rejects the rumor of a possible departure this winter; either the question of reinforcement at this position will be inevitable during the next winter transfer window.
De Zerbi looking for other possibilities
In the meantime, some players can also help out in the heart of the game. Luis Henrique, the other Olympian from whom ‘RDZ’ asked for statistics, is not a real winger in the mind of the Italian coach, who wants him see very often transplanting in the axis. Especially if the emergence of Jonathan Rowe is confirmed, he who is seeking a starting place, particularly on the left side. Without really installing him as No. 10, Adrien Rabiot can also play a step higher than usual. As he grows in power, De Zerbi wants to see the French international fairly close to the attackers, and thus bring his technical touch, his sense of passing and his volume of play.
Mason Greenwood, who has been marking time for a few matches – and whose style of play seems to be a little more read and understood by opposing teams who monitor him closely – certainly has the profile to be refocused, if necessary. But the OM staff believe they need his speed and his ability to strike. Each with a different offensive profile, the young players in the squad like Darryl Bakola, Enzo Sternal and Keyliane Abdallah also hope to have the opportunity to shine. If only to get a place on the scoresheet, an increasingly rare and complicated opportunity this season. Except when OM deplores a few injuries…
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