Roberto De Zerbi criticized? Samir Nasri comes to his defense

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·1 October 2025

Roberto De Zerbi criticized? Samir Nasri comes to his defense

OM: Samir Nasri stands up for De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi criticized? Samir Nasri comes to his defense

OneFootball Videos

Olympique de Marseille showed no nerves at the Vélodrome. Facing Ajax Amsterdam, Roberto De Zerbi’s men delivered a resounding 4-0 victory in their Champions League home debut. While the sporting aspect quickly turned into a showcase, the spotlight once again fell on the Italian coach, regularly criticized for his excessive agitation on the touchline. Yet, against the Dutch side, De Zerbi remained surprisingly composed, a stark contrast to his animated outbursts against PSG.

This contrast did not go unnoticed by observers, but some consider the controversy around his demeanor completely unfounded. Samir Nasri, appearing on the Canal Champions Club set, firmly took the Marseille manager’s side.

"I don’t understand the debate about his behavior on the sidelines. It’s the new trend. All the new coaches are very energetic. You don’t see very calm managers anymore," said the former playmaker, clearly weary of criticism he considers out of touch with modern football.

To support his point, Nasri pointed out that most of today’s top managers, from Luis Enrique to Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, are known for their boundless energy on the sidelines. This behavior has become a standard in elite football, where intensity and involvement are scrutinized at every moment. According to him, De Zerbi is simply part of this contemporary dynamic. A reality that should settle the debate—at least until the next big match.