Marseille‘s Defensive Woes: Coach De Zerbi Calls for More Aggression
marseille’s impressive attacking form under coach Roberto De Zerbi is being overshadowed by defensive vulnerabilities, prompting concerns as they vie for a Champions League spot. De Zerbi has addressed the team’s defensive frailties, emphasizing the need for improved attitude and aggression following a concerning statistic: the club has conceded 38 goals in their first 28 league games, a mark not seen as the 1984-85 season.
De Zerbi Highlights Attitude and Personnel Shortages
Speaking ahead of a crucial match against Monaco, De Zerbi acknowledged the defensive issues, attributing them to a combination of individual errors, a lack of available defenders, and insufficient aggression on the pitch. “We need to work on the attitude,” he stated, highlighting the need for every player to contribute more defensively given the current personnel shortage.
Midfielders Filling Defensive Gaps
With key defenders like Balerdi and felipe unavailable, De Zerbi has been forced to deploy midfielders Valentin Rongier and Geoffrey Kondogbia in defensive roles. While acknowledging their qualities, De Zerbi emphasized that they are not natural defenders. “Rongier and kondogbia are fantastic players, but they are not defenders,” he noted, explaining his tactical adaptations due to limited options.
Tactical Flexibility Amidst Challenges
De Zerbi stressed his adaptability in light of the team’s limitations. “I don’t wake up in the morning deciding whether to play with three or four at the back,” he explained. “I look at the qualities of my players and try to put them in the best positions.” With only one recognized fit central defender,Cornelius,De Zerbi’s tactical flexibility will be crucial as Marseille navigates its Champions League ambitions while addressing its defensive concerns.
Given Marseille’s current defensive record is the worst since 1984-85, how realistic are their Champions League ambitions without significant defensive enhancement?
Marseille’s Defensive woes: A Q&A
Marseille’s notable attacking form under coach Roberto de Zerbi is being overshadowed by defensive vulnerabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
Q&A: Diving Deeper into Marseille’s Defensive struggles
- Why are Marseille’s defenses struggling?
- Marseille is facing a number of issues, including individual errors, a lack of available defenders due to injuries, and insufficient aggression on the pitch. The team has conceded a concerning number of goals, mirroring a situation not seen in decades.
- Who are the key injured defenders?
- The article specifically mentions the unavailability of Balerdi and Felipe as contributing to the defensive woes.
- How is Coach De Zerbi addressing the problem?
- De Zerbi is emphasizing the need for improved attitude and aggression from the entire team. He’s also adapting his tactics due to limited player options, including deploying midfielders in defensive roles.
- who are the midfielders playing in defense, and how are they performing?
- Valentin Rongier and Geoffrey Kondogbia, both midfielders, have been filling defensive gaps.While de Zerbi acknowledges their quality, he stresses that they are not natural defenders and adapting them to new roles is a challenge.
- What tactical adjustments is De Zerbi making?
- De Zerbi is focusing on tactical versatility,adapting his formation based on the available players. with limited options in central defense, he’s focusing on placing players in their best positions to maximize their strengths.
- What are Marseille’s ambitions this season?
- Marseille is aiming to secure a Champions League spot. Their defensive struggles, though, pose a significant challenge to their ambitions.
- Interesting Trivia
- Conceding 38 goals in the first 28 league games is the worst defensive record since the 1984-85 season, highlighting the depth of the current issues.
As Marseille looks to secure their Champions league ambitions, the team must improve their defensive performance. The future of their season hinges on De Zerbi’s ability to find solutions to their defensive woes.