Marseille sinks again at home, its coach threatens to leave

Like almost two weeks ago, it ended in front of a half-empty stadium, and to the boos of the remaining public. After having already been clearly beaten at home by Paris Saint Germain (3-0) at the end of October, Olympique de Marseille (OM) sank again (3-1) at the Vélodrome, Friday November 8 , at the opening of the 11^e day of Ligue 1, against AJ Auxerre (AJA).

The heavy defeat conceded in the “Classic” had hurt OM supporters, but their fury was tinged with a touch of resignation in the face of a rival who has had little success for many years. Friday evening, the whistles which brought the Marseillais back to the locker room at the break when the score was already 3-0 for Auxerre – identical scenario as the match against PSG – then at the end of the match were those of pure anger and shame.

The Italian coach of OM, Roberto De Zerbi, also let his frustration explode at a press conference. “I come from the street, I am direct, I don’t speak for the sake of speaking. I told Medhi Benatia [conseiller sportif] and to Pablo Longoria [président de l’OM] :If I'm the problem, I'm good to go. I leave the money and return my contract. »

After this defeat conceded before the eyes of its American owner Frank McCourt, Marseille, runner-up to PSG with 6 points behind, finds itself within reach of Monaco (3^e) and Lille (4^e), who will play this weekend. Above all, the evening fiasco served as a reminder that the project opened this summer by the management and directed by Roberto De Zerbi was still in its foundations, at most, and that the task was immense.

“I came to Marseille for the Vélodrome, to play at the Vélodrome. And I can't get the players here to give what I see in training and outside. So it’s my fault, it’s my responsibility”stormed the Marseille coach, whose players have only won one match out of five at home in the league.

Sterile possession

After the success brought back from Nantes on Sunday, OM and De Zerbi wanted to erase the slap received against Paris, and launch a new dynamic in the results and the manner; it's a failure. From the 10^e minute, Lilian Brassier was the first to sink. On a long ball without any particular difficulty, the Marseille central defender lost his bearings in space and let Lassine Sinayoko open the scoring (1-0).

Being behind was then about the worst that could happen to OM, who already did not have much space at 0-0 and were now faced with two lines of five firmly planted in front of the Auxerre goalkeeper, Donovan Leon .

The Marseillais tried to move around the block, without obtaining more than sterile possession and a few half-chances. For the promoted Auxerre, who did everything very well on Friday and climbed to a nice sixth place, things were simpler: wait and counter. Before the break, the Burgundians did it twice, successfully, first by Gaëtan Perrin (2-0, 43^e) then by Hamed Traoré (3-0, 45^e). In these two actions, Marseille defended horribly poorly and its weakness in this sector of play could be costly this season.

“This match is what we had worked for, but leading 3-0 at the break we had not imagined it”recognized Christophe Pélissier, the Auxerre coach.

“It’s driving me crazy”

Returning from the locker room, De Zerbi threw on Elye Wahi, Ismaël Koné and Ulisses Garcia but that changed nothing. Auxerre hit the post and continued to have the best chances.

At 65^e minute, OM still came back to 3-1, thanks to a penalty from Mason Greenwood, which fell from the sky and a hand from Clément Akpa. Wahi then harangued the turns, inviting the audience to push and believe. Half an hour later, the OM center forward and his teammates only received whistles.

“Playing at the Vélodrome is a privilege. I want to be able to convey to the people who work with me what I think about football. And I can't do it”explained De Zerbi, before returning to the different face displayed by his team at home or away: “I have a hard time understanding this, it’s driving me crazy. »

“The players are strong but they must quickly understand that to play here, you need something else”developed the Italian technician.

Questioned a few minutes later, Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi defended his coach. “Is the problem with the coach? No, it doesn't come from him, it's us, the players, who must take our responsibilities. He makes the effort, gives his heart, we have to put in more to turn the page”declared the Argentinian defender.

For their part, the Auxerrois, now sixth, can enjoy this fourth match in a row without defeat, including three successes. “Marseille was the only L1 club against whom I had never taken a point. I had played them nine times and lost nine times. So I told the players to enjoy it.”joked Christophe Pélissier, former coach of Amiens and Lorient in particular.