Roberto De Zerbi Frustrated as Marseille Faces Injury Crisis Before Champions League
Roberto De Zerbi is expressing his frustration as Marseille grapples with an injury crisis ahead of their Champions League matchup. The Italian manager’s concerns are further amplified by the team’s demanding fixture schedule.
Marseille’s Tight Fixture Schedule
The club has faced a grueling run of games, which has impacted player fitness significantly. De Zerbi noted that his squad has found it challenging to recover adequately between matches.
Lack of Preparation Time
Before the recent match against Auxerre, the players could only engage in a walking session. This limited preparation was necessary due to the quick turnaround, having played just two days prior. De Zerbi explained:
- “We did it walking because we had only played two days earlier.”
- “You can’t prepare for a match 24 hours in advance.”
Managing Expectations and Performance
De Zerbi acknowledged that the team’s performance has not been up to expectations. He referenced a disappointing match against Angers, where they lost points in the dying moments. He stated:
- “We played poorly against Angers, but we lost two points in the 95th minute.”
- “We played poorly against Auxerre.”
Despite these setbacks, he believes that criticism has been overly harsh compared to their actual performance. He highlighted that if Marseille had maintained their form since integrating several key players, they would be at the top of the league.
Outlook and Determination
With more matches ahead, De Zerbi emphasized the need for resilience. He noted, “It’s a difficult time, so we need to be a bit tougher and more determined.” The coach remains hopeful that overcoming these challenges will lead to better outcomes in future matches.
As Marseille prepares for their next fixture in the Champions League, the team will need to navigate both injuries and fatigue carefully to succeed.
