** OM coach Roberto De Zerbi spoke in press conference before Brest’s reception**
Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the Olympique de Marseille (OM), held a press conference of about 20 minutes on Thursday. He returned to the internship in Rome, the state of form of his team and the objectives of this end of season.
The Italian coach stressed the importance of the internship to strengthen cohesion within the team: “We worked. We spent a little more time together, there is no secret, I feel good in Marseilles. Given the importance of the issue, this is what I wanted to do in terms of group management and day-to-day routine. We decided to make that choice. We did it for the sake of OM.”
Roberto De Zerbi also spoke about his feeling of having been in Rome the week of the death of the Pope: “It was a very great emotion even if I am not practicing. What he did in his life, I told the players. We went to bring a crown of flowers with a few players. "
The coach said he was satisfied with the overall return of his team, although he recalled that difficult periods were normal over ten months: “At the physical level, everyone came back, when we saw Greenwood when he came into play… Over 10 months, it’s normal that there’s a drop, we’ve had injured players. It’s not an apology. We have to make decisions at the right time.”
Roberto De Zerbi spoke about Jonathan Rowe’s difficulties while recalling his great talent: “Jonathan made a very good start to the season, after he paid for the problems of the team. He got a little lost on the road. He’s back in playtime, he can even play pre-center. He’s a talented player, but you have to go with him. Sometimes I made a mistake by not aligning it.”
The Lombard coach spoke of the Swiss adversity and the willingness of his players to go to the Champions League: “It is a strong team with a strong Ajorque fort centre. We want to stay in second place in the standings… They’re all good guys. When things come out, it’s not bad faith. We want to play the Champions League but we have limits, me first. "
The former Brighton coach also mentioned rumours of tensions at the Commandery and the possibility of returning to Rome next week: “It’s OM! I knew it before and that’s why I chose to come here. Everyone must be free to do what they want, I do what is right for the team in my opinion. We’ve always tried to do things for the sake of OM. After the polemics, I leave them to others (…) We will see (return to Rome next week), for now, there is only Brest that interests me.”
The wide victory against the MHSC (5-1) did good to the morale of Roberto De Zerbi’s men
A big success that will have to be confirmed with the reception of the Stade Brestois this Sunday at the Stade Vélodrome. What eleven will offer Roberto De Zerbi for this decisive game of the final sprint?
For this match against Brest, Roberto De Zerbi should be able to count on an almost complete band. If Leonardo Balerdi will certainly not be 100% of his abilities, he has nevertheless participated in the trainings of the week and is therefore applying for a place in the group. Despite his few minutes with the “Pro 2” last weekend, Luiz Felipe should still be too fair to him.
Ulisses Garcia: “We’re feeling great, we’re going to play at home”
On the eve of Brest’s reception, Ulisses Garcia presented himself at a press conference. The OM defender went back to his experience of the internship in Rome, his new role and the stakes of this close season.
After the internship in Rome, Garcia highlighted the cohesion found: “We were together all the time, it created a group cohesion (…) we worked very well with the coach this week, we will do everything possible to achieve the objectives. "
The Swiss international has mentioned that the end of the season will be a matter of character while emphasizing the defensive aspect: “It’s going to be about the mind, about envy. All teams want to qualify. The difference in goals? Yes, emphasis is placed on the defensive aspect. The ranking has been tight for several weeks. We have our destiny in our hands.”
The former Young Boys came back to his complicated passage early in the season and his new, more offensive role: “It’s been hard with the loft and weaker playing times this season but I’m a positive guy but now I feel very good, I’m happy to have some play time in the last two games.(…) Starting from behind I read the game more easily. Automations are being created.”
The human rights defender did not fail to acknowledge the support and importance of the supporters: “We’re really lucky to be encouraged by this incredible audience. My message is: Encourage us until the end of the season!, We are really lucky to be in one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe with these fans.”