OM – De Zerbi before Strasbourg: “Strasbourg more important than Ajax”

After the exploit against PSG, OM travels to Strasbourg on Friday night with a clear ambition: to confirm. In his press conference, Roberto De Zerbi delivered a lucid speech, sometimes self-critical, and above all focused on the collective. Between injuries, praise for his new signings and a warning against the opponent, the Italian coach set the tone.

Two confirmed absentees

Right away, De Zerbi clarified the state of his squad:

“Kondogbia and Traoré will not be available against Strasbourg. The others are fine.”

Good news, since apart from these two absences, the squad is complete. The coach insisted: he will field the best possible team for this crucial encounter.

Strasbourg, more important than Ajax

Despite the upcoming return of the Champions League at the Vélodrome on Tuesday, the Italian refuses to let up:

“Tomorrow will be more important than the Ajax match. Strasbourg is a really tough game, and if we win, we could take first place.”

Last year, Strasbourg took four points from OM. De Zerbi hasn’t forgotten:

“I remember the game at La Meinau, after the euphoria in Lyon: we fell back down to earth. They have young players, well organized, carefully chosen, with real value. It will be very tough.”

Praise for his new signings

The former Brighton coach took time to single out his new recruits, this time to praise them:

• About Nayef Aguerd: “It’s like he’s been playing with me for ten years. He already understands everything.”
• About Matt O’Riley: “Serious, intelligent, versatile. Against Paris, he showed his complementarity with Højbjerg.”
• About Timothy Weah: “One of the best signings of the transfer window. He can play everywhere, he’s worth more than people think. An underrated player.”

De Zerbi also acknowledged the frustration of Angel Gomes and Vermeeren, left out for tactical reasons:

“Against Lorient, Gomes was our best player. Leaving him on the bench hurt me. But their time will come.”

Greenwood, the example to follow

The coach spoke again about Mason Greenwood’s defensive work against PSG:

“I had shown him clips of Raphinha. On Monday, he applied everything. But it has to be done every match. When Greenwood runs, everyone follows.”

A repeated demand: El Clásico is just a starting point, not an end in itself.

Mea culpa after the red card

Sent off at the very end of the match against Paris, De Zerbi admitted his share of responsibility:

“I made a mistake. Not in my words, I didn’t insult anyone. But in my body language. I ask the players to avoid cards, and I get a red… Bad example.”

Suspended for Strasbourg, he will be replaced on the bench by his assistant Andrea Maldera:

“I have total confidence in him. Maybe the players will be calmer without me in their ears!”

A clear message

Between compliments, warnings and self-criticism, Roberto De Zerbi mostly reminded everyone of the key point:

“Beating Paris is great, but if we show up in flip-flops at Strasbourg, it means nothing.”

On Friday night at La Meinau, OM will have the chance to confirm their revival… or fall back into old habits.