De Zerbi's Method and Balerdi's Maturity: OM launches its season with confidence and ambition

The interminable wait for summer is finally over! The smell of freshly cut grass, the nervous energy bubbling in the pit of one's stomach, the renewed hope that this year, this year, will be ours. It all returns this weekend as Olympique de Marseille kicks off its Ligue 1 campaign with a formidable baptism of fire on the field of Stade Rennais. Before this crucial opener, the traditional pre-match press conference offered a fascinating window into the soul of our club, and the message delivered by coach Roberto De Zerbi and defensive stalwart Leonardo Balerdi was one of resounding and calculated preparation.

It wasn't the noisy, boastful boasting of past seasons. Instead, the "Maestro" and his "Boss" on the field portrayed a quiet confidence, a conviction forged in the crucible of a demanding pre-season, and an ambition that burns with the constant flame of maturity. For any OM supporter who has experienced the rollercoaster rides of recent years, their calm and determined words were a reassuring symphony.

De Zerbi's Doctrine: "We Are Ready"

When Roberto De Zerbi states that "the team has worked well... and is ready for the season," it carries a different weight. This isn't a coach ticking a box or delivering platitudes. It's the conclusion of a meticulous, almost scientific process. His confidence does not rest on hope but on evidence gathered over an intentionally arduous pre-season. The coach made it clear: "we worked well, there were no injuries," and the training camps in the Netherlands and Andorra were beneficial.

He spoke of "difficult but good friendly matches," a phrase that perfectly encapsulates his philosophy. Challenging meetings against various international opponents, such as Valencia or Girona, were not intended for morale-boosting victories; they were high-intensity training sessions designed to embed the complex and demanding principles of "De Zerbi-ball" into the very DNA of the team. Every pass, every movement, every press was a rehearsal for the actual thing. The goal of this intense preparation was to make the complex system second nature, to ensure that when the pressure is high in a packed Roazhon Park, players would react by instinct, not hesitation. De Zerbi insisted that "everything that's been done until Saturday matters nothing" against the real start of the competition, because "we are still at zero points in the standings."

Additionally, De Zerbi's assurance that new players are integrated and prepared speaks volumes about the club's recruitment strategy. It's clear that under the leadership of Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia, players have been recruited not just for their individual talent, but also for their tactical intelligence and fit with the coach's vision. It's a team built with a specific plan in mind. The Italian coach emphasized that it's not about attracting players of a specific nationality, but simply "strong players." The adaptation of young recruits like CJ Egan-Riley is deemed "very good," with De Zerbi describing him as a "strong" player with "good maturity" and "versatile" abilities. For Amine Gouiri, De Zerbi set an ambitious goal: that he "plays like a number 10 and scores like a number 9," encouraging him to "steal" the finishing qualities of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Italian technician also expressed his satisfaction with the team's physical condition, an essential point for his system. The relentless pressing and fluid position exchange that De Zerbi demands require a level of elite fitness. He ensured that game time was varied in preparation to bring everyone to an optimal level, even those players who arrived later, such as Aubameyang and CJ Egan-Riley. Hearing that the staff has managed to balance workloads to bring everyone to their best is perhaps the most crucial news of all. The tactical machine has been built, and now, its engine is running at full power.

Leonardo Balerdi: The Metamorphosis of a Leader

If De Zerbi represents the spirit of this OM, Leonardo Balerdi, during his press conference, embodied its heart and soul. His appearance was a powerful symbol of his own personal evolution and that of the surrounding team. We saw the Argentine defender transform from a raw, immensely talented but sometimes impulsive player into the serene and imposing figure we see today. His words were not those of just any player; they were the words of a leader, the "captain" designated by De Zerbi. Balerdi stated he felt "at my best level, with more maturity and character, and ready to help my teammates."

His emphasis on stability was sweet music to the ears of every supporter. "The continuity of the coach... it's good for the club, for continuity, and for the players," he remarked, a simple yet profound observation. For too long, OM has been a club in constant revolution. Balerdi's praise for keeping the team's core highlights a newfound cohesion. He even revealed that players talk among themselves and that he hopes "no one will leave" among the mainstays. This is not a team of strangers getting to know each other; it is a brotherhood that has fought battles together and emerged stronger. His decision to stay at the club was also personal: he loves the club; he sees that "the club is on the right path," and that the team has "a lot of ambition." De Zerbi confirmed that retaining key players like Balerdi, Rulli, Rabiot, Højbjerg, and Greenwood is "a success" and a "proof of ambition."

His maturity became evident when asked about external factors like refereeing. His response—that the team should only focus on its own game—is the mark of a true leader: "We must not focus on that... we must focus on our game." It's an acceptance of responsibility, a refusal to make excuses. It's the mentality of a team that intends to dictate its own destiny. His role as captain, even though it underwent "many changes" last season, is now fully embraced. Tactically, Balerdi spoke of the team's desire to "control the game with the ball," even if it involves tough choices between short and long play, and that the final decision rests with the coach. He also addressed the inherent risk of De Zerbi's high and pressing play style: "there's always a risk, and the risk is leaving a lot of space, but it's the risk we've decided on." The objective in defense is to "achieve more clean sheets" and be "sturdier."

But the most electrifying moment of his speech was his spontaneous and passionate declaration of intent for the Champions League. He spoke of past disappointments and a burning desire to "achieve great things" on that stage. Balerdi expressed it fervently: "I am stung by the Champions League!" It's the dream that unites everyone associated with Olympique de Marseille. Hearing it articulated with such conviction by a key player confirms that the ambition in the locker room is perfectly aligned with the ambition in the Vélodrome stands. The goals for the season are clear: "qualify for the Champions League every year," "improve," and "close the gap between PSG and us."

OM's identity, crystallized by the concept "Who are we OM" born in Malmö, is also at the heart of De Zerbi's speech. He is delighted that it becomes public because he has "no secret," and OM is "truly united" with its supporters, club, and leaders. He emphasizes that identity is "something that you always have in you," and that it is essential to understand "who you are" before setting a direction.

The Rennes Enigma and the Road Ahead

The challenge that awaits us in Brittany should not be underestimated. Stade Rennais is a club undergoing transformation, having undergone a massive overhaul during the transfer window. Balerdi stressed that it will be a "very, very tough" match against a team with "good individual talents" and a "good coach" who is building well. De Zerbi acknowledged that Rennes is "very organized with strong players" and emphasized the necessity for OM to be "organized, orderly," and to know what to do to best interpret the game. OM will also encounter two former players, Valentin Rongier, whose departure "affected" Balerdi, and Quentin Merlin. De Zerbi knows these former key players' games very well, adding to the complexity of the challenge.

Ultimately, the pre-match press conference did exactly what it was supposed to do: it gave us supporters a reason to believe. The message was clear. This is an Olympique de Marseille built on the solid foundations of a world-class tactical method and the unwavering spirit of a mature and ambitious team. Confidence is not loud or arrogant; it is calm, deep, and earned. The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step, and for our Olympians, that step is taken at Roazhon Park. It will be a battle, but as our coach and our new leader have assured us, we are prepared.

Allez l'OM!