De Zerbi's Marseille Revival: Big Names and Big Ambitions

Marseille are reportedly eyeing big-name signings, including Paul Pogba and Gianluca Scamacca, as they aim to build on their resurgence under Roberto De Zerbi.

Olympique de Marseille kicked off the year 2025 in style, thrashing Le Havre 5-1 at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday. This resounding victory marked a triumphant start to the new year for Marseille.

After several weeks of adaptation, head coach Roberto De Zerbi has finally found the winning formula for his team. De Zerbi's impact is now being felt, and Marseille's performances are reflecting his vision and philosophy.

De Zerbi's motto of “straight to the goal” has been gradually gaining traction among Marseille fans since his arrival last summer. The Italian coach has successfully implemented a direct yet positional style of play, maintaining a strong attacking emphasis.

Marseille's resurgence under De Zerbi has propelled them to second place in Ligue 1, behind only Paris Saint-Germain. With their sights set on qualifying for next season's Champions League, Marseille also harbor ambitions of winning a domestic title, which has eluded them since the 2011/2012 season. The French Cup is another trophy within their sights.

De Zerbi's Transformation of Marseille

De Zerbi's initial months at Marseille were marked by challenges, culminating in a 3-1 defeat to Auxerre in early November. Following the loss, De Zerbi expressed his willingness to leave if he was deemed the problem. However, this setback ultimately proved to be a turning point in the team's season.

The defeat highlighted several shortcomings, prompting De Zerbi to reassess and refine his strategy during the international break. He focused on fine-tuning the core of the team, consisting of Geronimo Rulli, Leonardo Balerdi, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Mason Greenwood. De Zerbi introduced a new 4-3-3 formation, incorporating Geoffrey Kondogbia in defense, Valentin Rongier's return, and Luis Henrique's repositioning.

This tactical adjustment sparked a significant improvement in Marseille's performance, with the team securing five wins and one draw in six matches across all competitions. De Zerbi's philosophy and positional play began to resonate with the players, as evident in their impressive goal against Lille.

De Zerbi's flexibility and adaptability were on full display as he deviated from his initial game plan. He transitioned from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-2-1 formation, utilizing an omnipresent goalkeeper as the first line of defense. This tactical shift enabled Marseille to break down the opposition's pressure and create scoring opportunities.

At the heart of De Zerbi's strategy is a high level of mobility and interplay among players. The strikers are encouraged to make forward runs, while the full-backs provide depth and the midfielders support the attack. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg plays a pivotal role as the team's quarterback, orchestrating the flow of play and creating scoring chances.

Marseille's Ambitions Take Shape

As the season progresses, Marseille's objectives have become increasingly clear. With a more manageable fixture list compared to their European competitors, the team is well-positioned to make a strong push in the league. The absence of European commitments proves to be a significant advantage, allowing Marseille to focus their energies on domestic competitions.

January promises to be a challenging month, with away games against Rennes and Nice, as well as a home match against a resurgent Strasbourg side. However, Marseille can draw confidence from their impressive away record, boasting 21 points from eight matches, with seven wins and one loss. This statistic positions them as the best away team in Ligue 1, surpassing even PSG.

With their sights set on returning to the Champions League, Marseille are also keenly focused on success in the Coupe de France. Following their convincing 4-0 victory over St Etienne in the third round, De Zerbi emphasized the team's commitment to winning the competition. “We're playing the Cup to win it. As with the league, we play every game to be competitive.” De Zerbi continued, “There is no priority, the cup is like the league. Our idea is to approach every match in the best possible way, and there are no matches that are more or less important.” Marseille's next challenge in the cup comes in the form of a showdown with Lille on the 14th.

Marseille's Long-Term Vision Takes Shape

To achieve success on the pitch, Marseille have assembled a team of professionals capable of attracting top talent, including French international Adrien Rabiot and striker Mason Greenwood. The quartet of Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia, Giovanni Rossi, and Roberto De Zerbi have been working tirelessly for six months to restore the club's reputation. Their three-to-five-year project aims to reestablish Marseille as a powerhouse in Ligue 1.

Roberto De Zerbi, on behalf of the club and players, sends his heartfelt support to everyone affected in Los Angeles 💙 pic.twitter.com/IrHcGpdgdt

— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) January 10, 2025

Benatia emphasized the importance of instilling a winning mentality within the team. “Respect for the institution and the players already in place is all very well. But when you're on the pitch, there can't be any more respect. That's what I'm trying to make them understand. You have to have the character and desire that are typical of OM,” he told beIN SPORTS. This mindset has been applied since the start of the season, with a focus on building a cohesive unit.

While some new signings have failed to meet expectations, others are expected to make a positive impact. Luiz Felipe, arriving as a free agent from Al Ittihad, is anticipated to bring valuable experience to De Zerbi's defense. In contrast, players like Brassier, Abdoul Meite, and Chancel Mbemba are likely to depart the club this winter. As the squad continues to evolve, the ultimate goal remains a finished project by next summer.

Paul Pogba is a name that inevitably comes up in discussions about Marseille's future plans. According to reports, the club has expressed genuine interest in the player, although any potential move will likely be considered at the end of the season.

Other notable players have also been linked to Marseille, including Gianluca Scamacca, a striker familiar to both De Zerbi and Rossi from their time together at Sassuolo. The fact that Marseille are targeting a number nine, despite already strengthening that position with Elye Wahi and Neal Maupay in August, demonstrates the club's relentless pursuit of improvement.

Marseille's ambitions are clear, and fans are once again justified in dreaming big. With the club's resurgence under De Zerbi, glory may be within reach sooner than many expect. The future looks promising for Marseille, and it will be exciting to see how their plans unfold.