OM seduces! Mastered 2-0 victory against Girona for the first real summer test. Very promising signs.
The first real test has passed, and it is more than conclusive. Faced with Girona, solid and deemed resident of Liga, Olympique de Marseille de Roberto de Zerbi delivered a serious, controlled and victorious performance (2-0). Of course, it will not be necessary to get carried away, because it is only a friendly match from the end of July in Andorra. But beyond the score, this meeting offered precious and confirmed lessons that the precepts of the Italian technician begin to infuse in the Marseille collective. Summer promises take shape.
From the first minutes, the identity of this OM was palpable. A high, intense and coordinated pressing that has literally suffocated a Girona team in great difficulty in revival. A desire to leave short, master the tempo and control the game from the rear. In this system, the new Facundo Medina recruit, who came from Lens, already has the appearance of a boss in central defense, while the duo Højbjerg-Rabiot imposed his law in the middle. Marseille domination in the first period was almost total, justly missing in the last gesture to materialize earlier.
Greenwood and Gouiri on penalty, OM concretized
This superiority logically resulted in the display board, twice on penalty. It is first of all the untenable Mason Greenwood, once again very sharp, which himself obtained and transformed a sanction which nevertheless seemed generous, of a perfect opposite (34th). Then, in the second half, it was the incoming Amine Harit, twirling and author of a magnificent breakthrough, which was broke in the surface. Amine Gouiri was responsible for converting the sentence to make the station wagon (62nd). Two goals that rewarded Olympian control and the ability of individuals to make the difference.
De Zerbi has something to smile: convincing OM against Girona
Beyond the score, collective consistency reassured. OM has checked its end -to -end subject, conceding almost no frank opportunity to a disappointing and often reduced Girona team to commit faults. The numerous changes made by Roberto de Zerbi have not deregulated the machine, with entrants like Harit, Bakola or Nadir who showed envy and qualities. The collective takes shape, the executives respond present and the individualities, Greenwood in mind, are already there.
A promising summer, to be confirmed
Of course, you should not draw hasty conclusions. The road is still long before resumption of the championship and the real deadlines. But this victory over an opponent of caliber is by far the most positive signal of Marseille preparation. Roberto de Zerbi's tactical work is bearing fruit, the group seems receptive and quality is there. Summer promises ask for confirmation, but OM version 2025-2026 seems, for the moment, on the right track.
