Roberto De Zerbi Sends Stern Warning to Mason Greenwood & Marseille After Classique Win Over PSG

Olympique de Marseille fans might still be celebrating their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, but head coach Roberto De Zerbi has no interest in letting anyone get comfortable. In a typically fiery post-match statement, the Italian boss warned Mason Greenwood and the rest of his squad that beating PSG means nothing if they fail to back it up with consistency in the weeks ahead.

The result at the Stade Vélodrome — sealed by a Nayef Aguerd header inside the opening five minutes — was one of Marseille’s most significant moments of the young Ligue 1 season. It was also a statement of intent that this team, who finished runners-up last season, are serious about chasing PSG for the title. But if De Zerbi’s words are anything to go by, the work is only just beginning.

De Zerbi Issues Warning to Greenwood & Co

Speaking to reporters after the game, De Zerbi didn’t sugarcoat his expectations:

“This victory should not give anything more to the team. The defeat in Madrid brought us a lot, made us realise that we have strong players. The squad is strong, we know that, but Friday will be even more important than tonight’s match. I have already threatened the players, they know it. If we beat Paris and then tap dance against Strasbourg, it means we are not a great team.”

It was a typically blunt message from the fiery Italian, who has made a name for himself as one of European football’s most demanding managers. For De Zerbi, a win against PSG is the baseline for what Marseille should be capable of — not the highlight of their season.

Marseille Building Momentum After Madrid Defeat

The warning comes just days after Marseille’s spirited Champions League opener against Real Madrid, where they took an early lead through Tim Weah before falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat against 10 men at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite the disappointment of the result, Marseille earned plenty of plaudits for their fearless approach and ability to trouble the European champions on their own turf.

That performance, De Zerbi hinted, was just as important as the win over PSG. It proved to his players — and perhaps to themselves — that they have the quality to compete at the highest level. But that quality, he insists, has to be visible every single week, not just on the biggest occasions.

Greenwood’s Role Under the Spotlight

De Zerbi team were able to get over the line in their latest outing

Mason Greenwood has been one of Marseille’s headline arrivals this season and remains a key figure in De Zerbi’s plans. The former Manchester United forward has been tasked with adding both creativity and a clinical edge to Marseille’s attack.

While the Classique win over PSG was more about defensive resilience and grinding out a result, De Zerbi will want Greenwood and his attacking teammates to be sharper and more decisive when they travel to Strasbourg. The match offers an opportunity for Marseille to turn a marquee victory into a genuine run of form.

Weathering the Storm — Literally

Roberto De Zerbi Marseille 2025-26

Marseille’s triumph over PSG came under unusual circumstances, with the fixture delayed by 24 hours because of severe storms in southern France. It added another layer of drama to what is already one of France’s most heated football rivalries.

The extra day of preparation might have played into Marseille’s hands, giving De Zerbi time to fine-tune his tactical plan and drill his players on their defensive shape. Aguerd’s early goal gave them something to protect, and the team did so superbly, keeping PSG’s star-studded attack at bay — even if Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé was missing from the lineup.

Strasbourg Clash Looms Large

The message is clear: Marseille cannot afford to let their standards slip. They sit sixth in the Ligue 1 table with nine points from their opening five games, already suffering two defeats. Strasbourg, who are one of four teams with 12 points, represent a stern challenge at the Stade de la Meinau.

A win would keep Marseille within touching distance of the early leaders and continue to build momentum ahead of a congested run of fixtures in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. A slip-up, however, would undo much of the good feeling generated by the Classique victory.

A Season-Defining Stretch Ahead

For De Zerbi, this part of the season is crucial. The Italian tactician is trying to instill a mentality where Marseille do not just rise for the big nights but deliver week after week, home and away.

It is a mindset shift that will require the likes of Greenwood, Weah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Jonathan Clauss to show leadership on the pitch. Marseille cannot rely on PSG slipping up — they must create their own momentum if they are to seriously challenge for the title.

Final Word

Beating PSG at the Vélodrome will always be special, but Roberto De Zerbi’s message is that it cannot be the peak of Marseille’s season. His “threat” to Greenwood and company was not about fear — it was about standards.

Marseille’s manager is making it clear that this squad is capable of much more than one-off results. If they want to be remembered as a great team, they have to prove it not just in the Classique, but every Friday night in Strasbourg, every midweek in Europe, and every time they step onto the pitch.