‘We have small balls’ – Roberto De Zerbi erupts during dressing room tensions following Marseille defeat to Rennes | OneFootball

Marseille’s Ligue 1 season got off to a turbulent start on Friday as the team fell 1-0 to Rennes, and the post-match dressing room saw scenes of rising tension, according to RMC Sport and Ici Provence.Frustration boiled over immediately after the loss, with players and head coach Roberto De Zerbi raising their voices. Witnesses described the atmosphere as heated, with nerves fraying after the first defeat of the 2025–26 season. “There’s frustration, defeat, tempers flare, and there are a few exchanges, but nothing that shocked me,” said a source at the club to Ici Provence. De Zerbi’s translator reportedly delivered a stark message in French. “The others beat us on the pitch, and we come in here and fight among ourselves. You know what that means? That we have small balls. In Marseille, we need to have big ones.” The Italian reportedly continued his tirade with “This is the last time this will happen.”“It proves that some players didn’t accept defeat,” a club source told Ici Provence. “Especially a defeat like this, it’s never happened before.”Les Olympiens make their return to the Stade Vélodrome for the 2025-2026 season against promoted side Paris FC next weekend. GFFN | George Boxall