OM Legend Criticizes Balerdi with Fierce Remarks
Following Olympique de Marseille’s significant 3-0 defeat against Liverpool at the Vélodrome, Éric Di Meco expressed his deep concern regarding the team’s performance. The former Marseille defender, now a consultant for RMC Sport, sharply criticized the overall lack of aggression and tempo displayed by players under coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Di Meco’s Critique of Balerdi
Di Meco specifically addressed Leonardo Balerdi’s performance, questioning how a player in a European match could take the ball in his own penalty area and hesitate for an extended period. He remarked, “How is it possible that Balerdi takes the ball in his 18 meters and looks for ten minutes at whom to pass it?” This pointed comment highlighted the frustrating sluggishness in Marseille’s defensive transitions.
Broader Concerns About Team Performance
Di Meco’s critique did not stop with individual players. He highlighted a collective issue within the team. He noted that with three central defenders on the pitch, including Balerdi, who he felt was ineffective, there was a concerning lack of players in the midfield to inject necessary rhythm into the game. Despite the crowd’s enthusiasm, Di Meco observed that the team appeared lethargic.
- Marseille’s poor showing raises alarms about its ability to compete at the European level.
- After earlier victories against Newcastle and Union Saint-Gilloise, this defeat adds pressure for their next match.
- Next up, Marseille must establish their European qualification in an away game against Club Bruges.
Di Meco’s comments serve as a wake-up call, emphasizing that the team’s collective performance, characterized by slowness and passivity, is not meeting the demands of high-stakes European competition. He directly called out Balerdi and his teammates for their underwhelming attitude, which has sparked frustration among the fanbase.
