Real/OM – De Zerbi warns: “Tomorrow is no party”

The context: a tough opener for OM

After a season without European competition, OM returns to the Champions League in grand fashion: a first match at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid with Mbappé, Vinicius, and Xabi Alonso on the bench. For Roberto De Zerbi, the challenge is immense but exciting. Deprived of his defensive leader Nayef Aguerd, the Italian made it clear that this match should not be seen as a celebration, but as the starting point of a long and difficult European journey.

Roberto De Zerbi’s press conference

You face Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. What does that mean to you?

R.D.Z.: “For me, this is the second time I’ve come to the Bernabéu. I’m very happy, glad to be here. It gives you incredible memories. I hope we can dream of the Champions League every year. We have a history too. OM has a history well known in Europe. We’re here to play the match. We know how hard we worked to get here, and we know that Real has always been among the very best. But we’ll try to give our bodies, our all, to win.”

How do you rate Aurélien Tchouaméni’s level this season?

R.D.Z.: “He’s a great player. I’ve known him since Monaco. But I already have many things to handle with my own players.”

Why did Dani Ceballos not end up joining OM this summer?

R.D.Z.: “That’s something that stays between us. He’s a great player, a great person. Unfortunately, he didn’t want to come to us. He already plays for a great team. He didn’t come to another great team like OM. A special club. But tomorrow, we brought in excellent players, and I think that’s life, that’s football.”

What kind of OM would you like to see tomorrow against Real?

R.D.Z.: “I don’t know what the attitude will be tomorrow. We have new players who are going to help us. We’re playing against a big team. But to play in this competition, you must get used to facing big teams and be happy to do so, with ambition. If you are a player, that’s how it is.”

You mentioned a defined game plan. What do you expect from your players?

R.D.Z.: “The plan, as Leo said, is to stay attentive. The risk of conceding goals is very high. In defense, they must be alert. In attack, we need ambition. We’re not afraid. We have great quality in the squad, the pride of playing in the Champions League again. Since we’re here, tomorrow isn’t a party: it’s the beginning of something difficult.”

After Real, you face PSG. How do you handle such a tough week?

R.D.Z.: “I play one match a week as if there were three. It changes nothing. We must think match by match. We have many new players. We played against Lorient, now Real, that’s the most important game. Then PSG will be the most important game. But the ambition is to face each match one by one.”

How do you feel about returning to the Champions League with OM?

R.D.Z.: “We would have preferred to play at the Vélodrome but coming to Madrid is a source of pride. Last year we didn’t play in Europe. So we’re proud to be here. The responsibility is great this year. This is important for OM, not just any competition. In the Champions League, you need a good result.”

Coach, do you have players with Champions League experience to approach this match?

R.D.Z.: “We have players with experience. Pavard, Kondogbia, Paixão, Greenwood have already played in the Champions League. It’s true that Aguerd’s absence is a big blow for us, but we must try to set up a system that allows us to use the players who arrived at the end of the transfer window. We need to create a connection between them.”

What style of play will you implement with OM in the Champions League?

R.D.Z.: “We’ll play with our strengths. We will use the quality of our players. We’ll have very strong midfielders, three or four, of high quality. Without quality, you cannot win. Our forwards can score, they are intense. We must try to control the game. But the style, we can adapt it against each opponent, even if we don’t want to change it.”

How do you assess the evolution of Real Madrid’s style under Xabi Alonso?

R.D.Z.: “The players’ characteristics are different. Mastantuono can play inside, Rodrygo or Brahim on the wings… But Xabi Alonso’s style is clear, he works very well, it’s obvious. I don’t want to compare him to Ancelotti, he’s won everything. But in terms of playing style, you can already see how Xabi is leaving his mark.”

Do the possible returns of Bellingham and Camavinga change your preparation?

R.D.Z.: “I don’t know if they’ll play or not, if they are really 100% fit. Tchouaméni, Güler, Valverde must play. If Camavinga plays, someone else will be a substitute. But the level of the players is always very high on the other side.”

What does the presence of 4,000 Marseille fans in Madrid represent to you?

R.D.Z.: “It’s a joy, but also a responsibility for us. It’s thanks to them that we can play the Champions League this year. I hope we can give them satisfaction, and also to the thousands of fans in Marseille watching the game. We’ll try to give them a great result.”

In your opinion, is Real Madrid the top favorite to win the Champions League?

R.D.Z.: “I don’t know. There are many teams: Barcelona, Bayern, City, Liverpool… Honestly, I don’t think about that. I need to focus on tomorrow’s work.”

Do you think Real Madrid is stronger than last year?

R.D.Z.: “I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about others. Last year was very good, maybe this year too.”

You’ve often expressed admiration for Xabi Alonso. What impresses you about him?

R.D.Z.: “I think he’s going to succeed. He’s a great coach. He has clear ideas, he had great coaches himself. He knows the Real environment well. The squad has young players but with great qualities and an incredible future.”

How do you assess Greenwood’s progress in his defensive work?

R.D.Z.: “He’s also worked on the defensive side, pressing. He hasn’t always worked that way, but when he wants to, he does it. If he wants to become a top-level player, he must run without the ball. I’ve seen Mbappé, Dembélé put pressure off the ball. Greenwood needs to do that too.”

How would you describe your relationship with Marseille and this role?

R.D.Z.: “I don’t know if it’s the best job for me. But I admire the city, the stadium is always full. The criticism, the ups and downs of the club… That’s part of football here. For that, I’m really very happy.”

A clear message

Between pride and clarity, De Zerbi set the tone: OM are not coming to Madrid to celebrate their return, but to test themselves against the best with discipline and ambition. While acknowledging Real’s status as a giant, the Italian coach emphasizes the importance of a precise plan, the experience of key players, and the energy of the Marseille supporters. The stage is set: tomorrow at the Bernabéu, it won’t be a party, but a battle.