De Zerbi embraces training-ground row, would pay for players to argue on pitch | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi has downplayed a training-ground row at Olympique de Marseille, calling such flare-ups a positive sign amid a difficult spell. He welcomed the intensity.

La Provence reported that Geoffrey Kondogbia and Arthur Vermeeren exchanged words during Sunday’s session at La Commanderie, and De Zerbi confirmed it on Monday. He spoke on the eve of Marseille’s Coupe de France round-of-16 tie against Rennes.

“They argued on the pitch, they went head-to-head,” said the Italian coach. “And I’d like that to happen every day on the pitch. I would pay for that.”

He drew a line between confrontations during play and conflicts away from it, referencing an earlier dressing-room incident at Rennes this season involving Adrien Rabiot. He said on-pitch flashpoints are one thing, half an hour later another, that such exchanges are normal, so he did not intervene.

OM’s poor run continued with last week’s 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge, which confirmed their Champions League exit. They then conceded late in a 2-2 draw away to Paris FC in Ligue 1.

With the Vélodrome likely to be fiery on Tuesday night, De Zerbi feels intensity and emotional commitment will be vital. Marseille host Rennes at 21:10 CET with a quarter-final place at stake.

Source: GetFootballNewsFrance.com