De Zerbi and Marseille humbled in Classique after Bruges disaster as coach admits he has no answers | OneFootball

Marseille were schooled in Le Classique at the Parc des Princes, compounding the Bruges collapse, with Roberto De Zerbi saying he had no explanation for his side’s erratic form, which he called their biggest problem.

Referee Willy Delajod played the full stoppage time, stretching the ordeal by three extra minutes before the whistle. De Zerbi offered Luis Enrique a firm handshake, then departed quickly as several players looked stunned. L'Équipe notes that Marseille have buried their title hopes and slipped off the podium.

The away end was empty on Sunday, sparing them further fury after January’s crash in Bruges. They were knocked out of the Champions League with a 0-3 defeat on 28 January following a wretched display.

Tension grew after the break, notably between De Zerbi and Mason Greenwood as the forward failed to make an impact or track back. Paris struck a fourth on 66 minutes, soon after Himad Abdelli’s 62nd-minute introduction unsettled the shape and exposed fresh defensive lapses. The former Angers midfielder admitted it felt like a heavy defeat.

Even with brief consolation from Luis Enrique, De Zerbi’s gambles failed in Paris. He chose Jeffrey De Lange over Geronimo Rulli, recalled Benjamin Pavard and persisted with the Greenwood and Ethan Nwaneri partnership. He said Marseille lost in every department, had no explanation, owed another apology and would pay any price for consistency, calling this the first team of his to fluctuate so wildly.

After talk of a departure post-Europe, he spoke to neither squad nor hierarchy at full time, planning discussions in the coming days. He said he is not discouraged, rather sad, and that Marseille must not play or lose like this. He added conversations will mirror those after Lens 3-1 on 24 January and Bruges, and when asked why it is not working in Provence, he said he did not know. Looking ahead, he said that if Marseille reproduce the Lens level there should be no concerns, but if they repeat Sunday or Bruges, it will be more complicated.

Source: L'Équipe