Roberto De Zerbi says Marseille season ‘has started’ as focus turns to Real Madrid clash | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi was delighted with his side’s 4-0 victory over Lorient on Friday night, declaring that the win marked the “real start” of their season.

Speaking to Ligue 1+ post-match, De Zerbi praised the performance of his new-look side, strengthened by recent arrivals Arthur Vermeeren, Benjamin Pavard, and Nayef Aguerd. “We played very well in the first 25 minutes, in every aspect – pressing, play, speed. We created a lot of chances. Today, it’s as if the season has started: we had a lot of players who arrived in recent days. It’s only the fourth matchday, but it feels like the first.”The Italian coach reserved particular praise for his reinforced back line in his post-match press conference attended by Get French Football News. “Medina is very strong, Aguerd and Pavard too. We can also hurt opponents on set pieces. What bothers me is that it’s already the fourth matchday and not the first with these guys. When the players are good, it’s immediately easier.”“We must go to Madrid with the aim of achieving a good result, with humility but ambition. That is what the city and the club demand of us – we come to the Champions League as a club with history; but we must not forget where we come from.”Les Olympiens will open their UEFA Champions League campaign with a trip to the Bernabau on Tuesday, in a crucial week which also sees De Zerbi’s men host Paris Saint-Germain in the next instalment of Le Classique next weekend.GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from Marseille.