Tonight, Roberto De Zerbi will have the opportunity to prove he's one of the rising stars in coaching. Facing Liverpool, a powerhouse side, the Italian will be eager to demonstrate his mettle and vision. Before this match at the Orange Vélodrome, the Brescia native gave a media appearance across the Alps. Invited to the YouTube channel Viva el Futbol, hosted by Antonio Cassano, Lele Adani, and Nicola Ventola, the Marseille-born manager discussed various topics for approximately two hours. Regarding Italian football, he was asked about Cesc Fabregas, who manages Como. And for De Zerbi, there's a certain lack of respect and consideration shown to the former Arsenal player.
“I’m sorry about the way Fabregas is being treated. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when people go too far in their judgment, when they talk about arrogance, say he wants to be a star, or debate the width of the pitches, it’s just spiteful and bothers me. Besides, if you want to talk about results, then you should keep quiet. Because Como is sixth in the standings. Where should Como be? We’re talking about a big transfer window, but where should they be? First? Second? I don’t understand. Everyone is free to play the football they want. If things go wrong, Fabregas will have to answer for it. I don’t understand why there’s this jealousy and malice towards this young man who, when he speaks, doesn’t seem disrespectful or boastful to me.”
RDZ mentions the Greenwood and Vaz cases
He added, “But are people really so stupid as to think he doesn’t want to win? Everyone wants to win, even children playing in the street. I feel like I’m reliving what I experienced 10 years ago. Anyone who doesn’t understand what Fabregas means when he says he goes to bed thinking about how not to lose is acting in bad faith, dishonestly, and unfairly.” Outspoken as ever, De Zerbi couldn’t escape questions about the club he manages, Olympique de Marseille.
“I’m happy. I’m in a great team now. Everything that happens here benefits me. The passion, the energy. It’s true there are controversies, criticisms, people saying silly things, who have something against the club. But that’s the price you pay to be here… The ups and downs? It’s hard to explain. This morning, I had a 90-minute meeting with my staff to try to understand. It’s a mental issue we have to resolve; we’ll have regrets. But it’s a new group. Here, expectations are high and there’s pressure on the players. Twelve new players have arrived. When you know each other well enough, a bond of brotherhood develops. We’re working on that.”
Recruits he dreamed of in Marseille
The discussion then turned to Robinio Vaz. A highly promising young striker at Olympique Marseille, he crossed the border to join AS Roma. "Vaz was born in 2007, but he shook up the hierarchy here. He gave everything for us, but then he stopped training and started to train less diligently (...) It was only later that I learned about his contract problems... but personally, I would have played him anyway. But he left, and we wish him all the best, because he's a lad from the Paris suburbs and he deserves a career (...) We worked with him, and he progressed, but he needs to maintain his motivation; he risks losing his edge. In a way, I see him as the new Osimhen, but the one at LOSC Lille." Regarding Mason Greenwood, who is often linked with big clubs, the Italian coach was clear.
“I think he should stay here a little longer. Marseille is already a great club, but he can leave when he’s sure he can be a key player elsewhere. But a year and a half is still too soon. I think he still has a lot to offer OM. I’d like him to win a title here and leave his mark.” Finally, RDZ made some interesting revelations about the players he tried to bring to Marseille. “In January of last year, we inquired about Kaoru Mitoma, but well…” A player he met at Brighton. Then he added, “Last summer, we were looking for a playmaker in midfield. Personally, I really liked Angelo Stiller from Stuttgart. We also tried for Ardon Jashari.” But neither of them came. Maybe next time.