Adrien Rabiot clashes with Jonathan Rowe in Marseille dressing room tensions following Rennes defeat | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille’s Ligue 1 campaign began far from ideal fashion after falling to a late 1-0 defeat to the ten men of Stade Rennais on Friday night at Roahzon Park. According to a report from RMC Sport, tensions rose in the Marseille dressing room – with an alleged clash between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe. OM fell to defeat at Roazhon Park despite playing against ten men for much of the game, a result which sparked fury inside the dressing room. According to the report, several of the team’s leaders raised their voices. Gerónimo Rulli, Léo Balerdi, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg shouted loudly, in Spanish, English, or French: “We can’t play a match like this,” “Get moving,” “We’re not respecting everything we’ve worked on.” Meanwhile Roberto De Zerbi reportedly delivered a strong message to his squad about the non-negotiable values of humility and collective sacrifice.At the centre of the storm, however, was Rowe. The England U21 international was accused by some teammates of not putting in enough effort. He reacted angrily to the accusations and became involved in a verbal altercation with Rabiot. RMC indicate that the two men did not come to blows, but their confrontation underlined the fragile mood after the defeat.De Zerbi and sporting director Medhi Benatia eventually restored calm, though the atmosphere on the return flight to Marseille remained subdued. Sources within the camp have since tried to frame the bust-up as proof of a dressing room that refuses to accept defeat.GFFN | George Boxall