Facundo Medina’s blunt address lays bare OM’s turmoil and intent | OneFootball

Facundo Medina’s stark midweek address, followed by praise from his coach on Friday, summed up Marseille’s volatility and hinted at a reset.

On three February at the Vélodrome, after Marseille’s third in a Coupe de France last-16 tie with Rennes, Medina, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Leonardo Balerdi celebrated wildly. Five days later they finished a Classique at the Parc drained, the Argentine dry-eyed after January’s Trophée des champions in Kuwait ended 2-2 then 1-4 on penalties to PSG.

Suspended at Lorient, he spoke in the dressing room, then again after the 0-2 defeat. “I said it face to face to some players, I will not name them out of respect, but we are talking about experienced players, me included. Everyone knows what they give on the pitch, and who was not up to standard,” he told RMC.

Internally, such broadsides are not new. After early January’s Trophée des champions, backed by Balerdi and Hojbjerg, he criticised Amir Murillo.

A 0-3 at Bruges on 28 January brought public censure from then coach Roberto De Zerbi. The squad received this latest broadside with weariness, another chapter in a bruising campaign that began with the Roahzon Park battle in August.

“If I have three, four or five with me, it is contagious. I want the Champions League next season and respect for my club and this shirt.”

Source: L'Équipe