Roberto De Zerbi Faces Newcastle with Confidence and Determination

Currently ranked twenty-fifth in the Champions League with just one win and three losses in four matches, Olympique de Marseille faces a crucial challenge to stay in the competition. Tomorrow’s match against Newcastle at the Vélodrome is essential for the club’s future in the tournament. Although Newcastle sits 14th in the Premier League, they’ve shown stronger performance in Europe, ranking 6th with three wins in four matches. Marseille must secure points to keep their qualification hopes alive.

However, the Olympians do not view this match as their sole chance for redemption. “I don’t think we need to do anything extra. We just have to play our game and stick to the plan. It’s always a special occasion; we must play with passion and courage. Newcastle is physically strong, but we’ve faced similar teams in Ligue 1. The Vélodrome is a unique place. Every match feels like a final, and we need these points. We want to win this match like all the others,” stated Angel Gomes at the press conference, echoed shortly after by coach Roberto De Zerbi, who emphasized that this is not the most critical match of their Champions League season, unlike past encounters with teams like Paris Saint-Germain.

“We have the tools to challenge them”

“Newcastle is a strong, physical team. They have played together for a long time, making this a tough match. I don’t consider it a decisive one. Last year’s Champions League proved that teams nearly out of the running qualified. We don’t have enough points yet, but this will still be an important game. Against Atalanta, we didn’t play our best, but we deserved more. We could have earned points in our last four matches. Yes, Newcastle is strong, but we have strong players too, and we’re at home. I know we need to win all four remaining matches to qualify; two won’t be enough. We must perform well and be decisive in both boxes: scoring and defending well,” he remarked, asserting that his team isn’t simply a victim against the Magpies.

“We expect strong players from Newcastle. Their midfield boasts world-class talent like Tonali, Guimarães, and Joelinton. However, if we focus too much on them, we might neglect our own strengths. We know we have to stay alert, but we also have many qualities to highlight. Newcastle is physical but knows how to play, with quick players on the wings. To be at the top of the Premier League, you need a strong team at every level. They are led by a great coach I know well. It’s a strong team, but football is exciting because results don’t solely depend on strong players. It also relies on motivation and courage. We have strong players too—this isn’t just to make a point. We have what it takes to put them under pressure,” he concluded. The game kicks off tomorrow evening at 21:00 IST!