Roberto De Zerbi Asks Marseille Stars to Question if They ‘Deserve’ to Be in the Team as Bid to Challenge PSG for Ligue 1 Title Suffers Another Blow

De Zerbi’s Wake-Up Call

The pressure is mounting at the Stade Vélodrome. Roberto De Zerbi, never one to mince his words, sent a clear and cutting message to his Marseille squad after a late collapse against Angers denied them a crucial win. The Italian coach, who arrived in the summer with ambitions of turning OM into genuine title challengers, has now urged his players — and himself — to look in the mirror.

“We need to understand if we deserve to be part of this OM team,” De Zerbi said bluntly after the 2-2 draw. “Whether it’s me or the players. We need to know if we want to compete with PSG, or if we have ups and downs and don’t deserve to be part of this club.”

It was an unusually sharp public challenge from a man known more for his tactical precision than for outbursts. But his frustration was understandable. Once again, Marseille had done the hard part — turning a deficit into a lead — only to throw it away in the dying seconds. The draw not only extended their winless run to three games in all competitions but also cost them the chance to close the gap on Paris Saint-Germain, who had dropped points against Lorient earlier in the evening.

Marseille’s Poor Run of Games

Just a few weeks ago, Marseille looked like a side ready to push PSG all the way. Their mix of youth, experience, and attacking flair had captured the imagination of fans and neutrals alike. But football moves fast, and a poor run of results has once again exposed old fragilities.

It all began with a controversial defeat against Sporting CP in Europe, a game that saw Emerson Palmieri sent off following a hotly disputed VAR decision. That red card sparked fury from De Zerbi and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who both slammed the officiating in the post-match press conference.

Then came a domestic setback — a 2-1 loss to Lens in Ligue 1, despite a fine finish from Mason Greenwood. Against Angers, Marseille had the perfect chance to make amends at home, but their inconsistency reared its head again.

Wednesday’s 2-2 draw summed up their season so far: full of promise but lacking closure. After going behind early, Marseille fought back with spirit and intensity, only to be undone by a late defensive lapse that silenced the Vélodrome and left De Zerbi visibly distraught on the touchline.

De Zerbi’s Challenge to His Players

FBL-EUR-C1-SPORTING-MARSEILLE

In the aftermath, the Italian didn’t hold back. His post-match comments were not about tactics or missed chances — they were about mentality.

“I’m trying to push Marseille to the next level,” he said. “We need to show a champion’s mentality. This club has history, passion, and expectation. To play for Marseille is a privilege — but it also means responsibility. You must prove every week that you deserve it.”

For De Zerbi, this isn’t about calling players out for the sake of it. It’s about setting standards. Since his days at Sassuolo and Brighton, he has built a reputation as a manager who demands courage on the ball and commitment off it. At Marseille, where pressure is constant and patience is thin, he knows only those who truly embrace the challenge will succeed.

Still, De Zerbi made sure to credit the club’s leadership for their support. “Since I’ve been here, I have nothing to criticise the club for,” he said. “They’ve always tried to raise the level — from [owner] Frank McCourt to [president] Pablo Longoria and [sporting director] Medhi Benatia. They’ve worked with courage to bring positive change. Now it’s up to us — the coaches and players — to respond.”

Marseille 2-2 Angers: A Game That Slipped Away

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-MARSEILLE-LE HAVRE

The match itself had all the drama of a classic Ligue 1 encounter. Marseille began brightly, pressing high and forcing errors from Angers’ back line. But their momentum faltered late in the first half when Nayef Aguerd misjudged a long ball, allowing Sidiki Cherif to shrug him off and slot past Geronimo Rulli for the opener. The goal stunned the Vélodrome into silence.

At half-time, De Zerbi acted decisively, making three substitutions. On came 18-year-old forward Robinio Vaz, joined by Matt O’Riley and Benjamin Pavard. The changes injected life into the side. Within minutes, Marseille were level — Vaz finishing off a swift counterattack after a clever through ball from Aubameyang.

The young forward wasn’t done. In the 70th minute, he produced a moment of brilliance, dancing past two defenders before hammering a low drive into the far corner to make it 2-1. The stadium erupted, sensing the comeback was complete.

But just as the clock ticked past the sixth minute of stoppage time, disaster struck. A loose clearance fell to Amine Sabai, who squared for Camara to slot home the equaliser. From jubilation to heartbreak in seconds — a familiar story for Marseille this season.

The Psychology of the Collapse

It’s easy to point fingers after a late concession, but De Zerbi’s comments suggested something deeper — a mental fragility that has plagued the team. “We were in control, but in football, control is never total,” he reflected. “You have to manage emotions in the final moments. That’s what big teams do.”

His analysis hits the nail on the head. Marseille play some of the most expressive football in France, but they often lack the cold-blooded composure that separates champions from contenders. Too often, they let emotion dictate decisions — charging forward when they should manage the tempo, or dropping too deep under pressure.

The Italian is trying to instil a more disciplined mindset. His teams thrive when they trust the process, when structure meets creativity. It’s what made his Brighton side admired across Europe. Now, in the charged atmosphere of Marseille, he faces the challenge of teaching a volatile squad how to stay calm amid chaos.

The Rise of Robinio Vaz

If there was one silver lining from the Angers draw, it was the emergence of Robinio Vaz. The teenage forward’s brace was a reminder of Marseille’s promising future. Signed from the club’s academy just last year, Vaz has long been seen as a prodigy — fast, fearless, and blessed with a natural eye for goal.

“Robinio changed the game,” said De Zerbi. “He played with no fear. At 18, that’s not normal. But we must protect him — help him grow at the right pace.”

With injuries to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and doubts over Aubameyang’s fitness, Vaz could find himself playing an increasingly central role in the coming weeks. His energy and instinct might be exactly what Marseille need to reignite their season.

What Comes Next: Marseille’s Challenge Against Auxerre

The focus now shifts to Saturday’s trip to Auxerre — a game that could define Marseille’s response to their current slump. On paper, it’s a winnable fixture, but given the recent inconsistencies, nothing can be taken for granted.

De Zerbi knows that only a win will do. “We have to show that we’ve learned from our mistakes,” he said. “Every point counts in a race like this.”

Elsewhere, Marseille will be keeping an eye on results involving their rivals. Nice face PSG at the Parc des Princes, hoping to extend their winning streak to four and potentially hand Marseille a lifeline in the title race. Meanwhile, Monaco — currently second — host newly promoted Paris FC in what could further shake up the standings.

For Marseille, though, the mission is internal: restore belief, rediscover discipline, and stop the late-game collapses that have become their undoing.

De Zerbi’s Vision and the Bigger Picture

Beyond the immediate frustration, De Zerbi’s project at Marseille remains ambitious. He wants to create a side capable of competing with PSG not just in short bursts, but across a full season. His footballing philosophy — intense, technical, and brave — is starting to take hold, even if the results don’t fully reflect it yet.

Supporters, for all their impatience, recognise the potential. The connection between players and fans remains passionate, even volatile — a reflection of the club’s unique identity. De Zerbi’s honesty, his emotional transparency, has struck a chord with many.

As one Marseille supporter put it outside the stadium after the Angers game: “At least he speaks like one of us. He feels the pain.”

And perhaps that’s why, despite the current turbulence, there’s still faith in De Zerbi’s project. He isn’t just another passing coach — he’s someone who understands that OM is not a job; it’s an obsession.

Final Thoughts

Roberto De Zerbi’s message was loud, direct, and undeniably heartfelt: “Do you deserve to be here?” It’s a question every player — and perhaps every Marseille supporter — should ponder as the season unfolds.

The 2-2 draw with Angers may feel like another setback, but it could also mark a turning point. Sometimes, frustration sparks clarity. Sometimes, a coach’s hardest words ignite the response he’s been waiting for.

For now, Marseille remain in touching distance of the Ligue 1 leaders. But if De Zerbi’s men truly want to challenge PSG, the time for introspection is over. It’s time to prove — on the pitch, not in words — that they deserve the shirt, the club, and the dream that comes with it.