Benatia has “never seen a player come out disfigured” like Donnarumma

Axel Allag, Media365, published on Thursday December 19, 2024 at 10:24 p.m.

OM sports advisor Mehdi Benatia, guest on RMC, discussed many themes. From the upcoming transfer window via the Paul Pogba track but also the theme of arbitration, the day after the injury suffered by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

OM, through Mehdi Benatia, admitted its incomprehension regarding the arbitration. A few days after Pablo Longoria’s statements, another leader spoke. And was therefore very cash on the arbitration of François Letexier during Monaco-PSG (2-4), and the facial trauma suffered by Gianluigi Donnarumma against Wilfried Singo. “Pfffff. I didn’t think much of it. I was waiting for the referee (François Letexier, editor’s note) to explain. Which he didn’t do. When I saw that, I was at a loss. “arguments”, assured Benatia, still bitter about the decision taken against Amine Harit – expelled following a foul on Marquinhos by the same referee during the Classic in October (0-3). The former Bayern and Juve central defender has simply “never seen a player come out disfigured” like Donnarumma since he has been watching and playing football.

OM will try to “strengthen intelligently”, but probably not with Pogba

This appearance on RMC was also an opportunity for Benatia to discuss the upcoming transfer window, and the Marseille club, it is certain, “will not have the means to carry out 4, 5, 6 or 7 operations” but will try to “strengthen intelligently” by looking at all lines. That of the midfield, as Pablo Longoria has already explained, should therefore not be reinforced by a Paul Pogba authorized to resume competition in March and held in high esteem, but who presents few guarantees while he does not hasn’t played for over two years. “Paul knows the esteem we have for him. Today, we have to know if it is a real need,” said the leader, keen to respect the balance and who therefore questioned himself. “Today, concretely, can OM afford to bring back a player like Pogba if he is not physically ready and we have to wait 6 months?”

“I don’t even know how we made a European Cup semi-final”

This season, so far, has been a real satisfaction with this second place in Ligue 1, especially after last season which was really not appreciated by an honest Benatia. “Last year I spent 6 months where I had zero pleasure. Don’t talk to me about the European Cup semi-final (elimination against Atalanta Bergamo 4-1 on aggregate, editor’s note), I don’t even know how we made the semi-final of the European Cup, it was catastrophic in the game, we didn’t make three passes…”. The 2024-2025 financial year will be a success if OM ever confirms its current rank during the next five months – while it will defeat Saint-Étienne on Sunday in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France. “A successful season if we finish second? Of course. We have to be ambitious, to look at what’s happening up there. If you’re second and you don’t look at the first, it’s because there’s has a big problem.” PSG is currently, and with one more match, at 10 points.