If Roberto De Zerbi offered to leave after OM's defeat (3-1) against AJ Auxerre this Friday, Leonardo Balerdi rejected his coach's responsibility for this new setback at home. The captain believes that the players are the main culprits.
OM experienced another nightmare evening at home. Corrected by PSG (3-0) at the Vélodrome on October 27, Marseille sank in front of its supporters against Auxerre (3-1) this Friday at the opening of the 11th day of Ligue 1. As against the Parisians, the team Roberto De Zerbi had already conceded all three goals at the break.
“If I’m the problem, I’m ready to leave,” said the Italian coach after this new setback. “He's not the problem, it's us the players,” replied captain Leonardo Balerdi in the mixed zone. “We have to take our responsibilities. The coach makes the effort, he gives everything. We have to put in a little more to play here and turn the page.”
“We don’t deserve to wear this jersey”
Provisionally second in Ligue 1 before the rest of this 11th day of the championship, OM have a contradictory record with only one victory in front of their home crowd since the start of the season. “With tonight’s performance, we don’t deserve to wear this jersey, with the history in this club,” Balerdi said again. “I don't understand what's going on but we have to question ourselves when we're at the Vélodrome. I don't know if it's the pressure but things have to work out in our favor.”
Of the 20 points taken in the standings, Marseille scored 15 thanks to away matches. After the international break, OM will travel to Lens then host AS Monaco. “It’s wonderful to play here but you have to understand it and enjoy it, at the moment that’s not the case,” Balerdi continued. “Mistakes can happen but something else is missing, attitude and a lot of things.”
