OM delivered a performance below expectations on Sunday in Strasbourg and the first criticisms are falling on the play of Roberto De Zerbi as well as on the squad at the disposal of the Italian coach.
Just a week ago, euphoria gripped Marseille after the stunning victory on the Lyon pitch (2-3). Leader of the championship tied with Paris and Monaco before this sixth day of Ligue 1, OM was eagerly awaited in Strasbourg after the successes of PSG against Rennes and ASM against Montpellier. As was feared by Roberto De Zerbi, his team nevertheless fell into the trap set by the Alsatians, who are having an excellent start to the season, characterized by the ironclad pressing of Liam Rosenior. Nothing catastrophic for Marseille, which remains 3rd in Ligue 1 and which will have the opportunity to react on Friday at home against Angers.
But for Daniel Riolo, this setback in Strasbourg highlights some gaps within the squad in three key positions: in attack with a disappointing Elye Wahi, on the sides of the defense where Merlin’s injury is sorely lacking and in defense central, where the performances of Cornelius and Brassier are not imperial in the absence of Balerdi.
“I thought that OM would succeed with one or two players in breaking the lines, finding the opening and calming down Strasbourg. It didn’t show! Marseille managed to do this a little at the end when Strasbourg voluntarily chose to back down. But don’t come and tell me that it’s because Hojbjerg played at the back, etc. We can talk about Roberto De Zerbi’s choices, but to be stepped on like they were stepped on, honestly if there is a better new player than Emegha in Strasbourg, they are taking a foot bath. When we see OM, there are questions about certain limits” first told the After Foot journalist about the defeat in Strasbourg before concluding on the play of Roberto De Zerbi and the limits of the Marseille squad.
Riolo points out the shortcomings in the squad at OM
“First, it will take time before we see the De Zerbi Ball because at the moment there is none. Even when they won, what we saw was character, will, a breath. There aren’t any full-backs. The center forward, there is a big problem. The central hinge, there are questions with Cornelius. We moved back five degrees on the radiator notch at OM” said Daniel Riolo, who was not completely convinced by the play of Olympique de Marseille despite the victories at the start of the season, and who is confirmed in his initial idea after the setback in Strasbourg. It will now be interesting to see if with the return of Balerdi, the rise of Rabiot and the reception of an affordable opponent before the international break (Angers), Olympique de Marseille will manage to relaunch on Friday at the Vélodrome. Any other result than a victory will be a huge failure while at the same time, Monaco and PSG will have more complicated matches away to Rennes and Nice.
