‘We’re still alive’ – Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi remains optimistic despite Monaco defeat | OneFootball

“3-0 is a statement. My opinion is that it is a bit flattering,” admitted Adi Hütter as AS Monaco swept aside Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Louis II on Saturday.

That opinion was shared by his opposite number, Roberto De Zerbi who added that the 3-0 scoreline was “not fair”. However, unlike after previous heavy defeats this season, the OM manager kept his cool post-match. His players were not thrown under the bus. “It is not the time to criticise this or that player. I saw a good attitude from the players. It is not about looking for someone to blame,” said De Zerbi in a post-match press conference attended by Get French Football News.

In fact, De Zerbi struck a positive tone throughout his post-match media duties. “We played very well in the first half. We offered nothing to Monaco and then we concede a stupid goal. That happens to us too often and then that determines the result. The 3-0 does not reflect the match. I always say what I think, and there is nothing [bad] to say about the players. When strong words are needed, I say them but today it is different. They played well. I am more optimistic than after some wins this season,” said the Italian.

Monaco have leapfrogged Marseille into second thanks to the win but De Zerbi was far from defeatist. “We are still alive, still fighting and have a great chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League,” he said.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle  – reporting from Monaco