Roberto De Zerbi Warns OM: ‘No Crocodile, No Leap’
The Olympique de Marseille faced a harsh defeat against Liverpool, losing 0-3 at their home stadium, the Vélodrome. This loss marked another setback for French clubs in the UEFA Champions League, as they currently hold three consecutive losses. As a result, Marseille finds itself at the bottom, in 19th place in the competition standings.
Match Overview
Following the match, players from Marseille acknowledged Liverpool’s dominance. However, a notable incident involved a clever free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai just before halftime. After a foul by Balerdi on Gravenberch, Szoboszlai scored with a deceptive shot that slipped under the OM wall. This raised questions about Marseille’s defensive setup.
Controversy Over Defensive Strategy
- Hamed Traoré admitted uncertainty regarding the team’s decision to not position a player behind the wall to block such free kicks.
- He mentioned, “We didn’t communicate well; it’s complicated to explain.” Traoré expressed optimism about future matches, including an upcoming game against Bruges.
- Coach Roberto De Zerbi voiced his dissatisfaction with the defensive approach, stating, “The first half was balanced, but we conceded a silly goal.”
De Zerbi explained that his goalkeeper preferred no players on the ground during the free kick. He suggested that the absence of the “crocodile” technique—a strategy where a player lays down to block low shots—should dictate that players do not jump. “We knew we could lose to Liverpool, but we hoped for a better outcome,” he commented.
Looking Ahead
The defeat places Marseille in a challenging position. Nonetheless, they still have the opportunity to improve in their next match against Bruges. Fans are hopeful for a turnaround as the team seeks to regain its footing in the Champions League.
