Marseille's remarkable attacking output under Roberto De Zerbi has been matched by persistent inconsistency, leaving the manager himself uncertain which version of his team will face Liverpool in the Champions League. The Italian's second season at the club has brought visible progress, with 41 goals in 18 Ligue 1 matches – the most in the division – and 16 goals since the turn of the year, a record matched only by Bayern Munich across Europe's top five leagues.
Yet De Zerbi has repeatedly highlighted the team's inability to sustain performances. After a 5-2 win over Angers, in which Marseille led 4-0 at half-time, he challenged his players to 'string together 10 matches at this standard.' The victory followed a demoralising 2-0 defeat to Nantes earlier in January, which left the club eight points behind league leaders Lens.
The emotional swing was captured after the Trophée des Champions, where Marseille produced one of their best displays of the season against Paris Saint-Germain but lost on penalties after a 2-2 draw. 'I have never cried after a defeat, but tonight I cried when I returned to the dressing room,' De Zerbi said. 'Against Nantes, there was nothing. Tonight, there was everything.'
Inconsistency is compounded by constant squad turnover. More than a dozen players arrived in the summer of 2025, with even more leaving. Economic necessity has forced sales such as teenage forward Robinio Vaz to Roma for €25m. Director of football Medhi Benatia admitted, 'At Marseille, it's hard to project yourself. I just look at tomorrow. You never have time.' De Zerbi has tied his own future to Benatia, saying he would leave if the director departs.
