Champions League: OM – De Zerbi savours “perfection” and urges his team to stay on track

“An Almost Perfect First Half”

Radiant but clear-headed, Roberto De Zerbi did not hide his satisfaction after the Olympians’ performance:

“We played an incredible match. The team was young but competent. The first half was perfect, almost perfection.”

In a fiery atmosphere, his players folded Ajax in less than half an hour thanks to Paixão (a brace and an assist), Greenwood, and Aubameyang. For their coach, this collective and vertical display must become a reference: “Defensively, we suffered, but offensively this was the most important stretch of play since we’ve been in Marseille.”

Paixão, Symbol of a Growing Collective

Asked about Igor Paixão, criticized since his arrival, De Zerbi fired back at the journalists:

“In Marseille, criticism is like the sun, it’s there every day. He was coming back from two months of injury, he’s growing. Tonight he scored and assisted his teammates. The goal helps with confidence, but he was already contributing before.”

A clear message: the Brazilian recruit is now ready to establish himself in the Olympian starting eleven.

A Bold Eleven and an Assumed Rotation

With Vermeeren starting for the first time and Nadir lined up from the start, De Zerbi surprised many. But he stands by his decisions:

“Højbjerg had played three intense 90-minute matches in a row, he needed a rest. Vermeeren is very strong, he played a great match. Nadir as well. I want all my players to be protagonists.”

A statement that confirms the rotation policy dear to the Italian coach, eager to keep his entire squad involved.

Tactics and Adaptation: A Pragmatic De Zerbi

Known for his possession game, the Italian adapted his plan against Ajax:

“We didn’t want to let them have the ball, but when I saw that Weghorst and Dolberg were missing, I changed the game plan this morning. We knew they would play with very high wingers. We took risks, but we were aggressive and patient in pressing. The goals came from that.”

Proof that the coach also knows how to be pragmatic and spot the weaknesses of his opponents.

The Gesture That Marked the Evening

Beyond the pitch, De Zerbi recounted a revealing scene that showed his squad’s state of mind:

“When Højbjerg came on, Aubameyang took off his captain’s armband to give it to him, without being asked. A magnificent gesture of humility. For me, even more beautiful than the 4-0.”

A powerful symbol of a united locker room and of leaders ready to share responsibilities.

Staying on Course Before Metz

Still, no question of getting carried away:

“Today we won a match, period. Tomorrow, we start again. Metz on Saturday will be even harder than we think. It’s a physical, lively team, that knows how to defend and counterattack.”

De Zerbi insists: true progress will come when OM are able to sustain the same intensity for 90 minutes.

A foundational evening, a historic victory, and a coach who is both happy and demanding. Marseille is underway, but the journey has only just begun.