Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille faced each other on Monday at the Stade Vélodrome for the 5th matchday of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. The match ended with a 1-0 victory for Marseille. After the match, Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi spoke at the press conference.
De Zerbi: “This is against a team that defines an era.”
Extraordinary emotions?
It’s unbelievable. When you come to this stadium, you have to enjoy it because you never know how long it will last. You have to take in everything this stadium has to offer. We played a great match. We had a great first half with a lot of energy. In the second half, something was missing; perhaps the 1-0 lead weighed on us, we just wanted the match to end. But we deserved the victory.
This is against a team that defines an era. It’s one of those teams, like Sacchi’s Milan, Guardiola’s Barcelona. I think that’s the case with this team, which plays a different style of football. That makes our players’ victory even more valuable.
De Zerbi: “This is something I don’t accept.”
Your greatest victory in Marseille?
This is one of the greatest days since I’ve been in Marseille. I came here for the Vélodrome, but also to beat PSG. It was one of my dreams. PSG represents power, winning year after year without giving other teams any real chance to compete. That’s something I don’t accept; I’ve always thought that way in my life.
However, we haven’t won anything yet. Just one match, 3 points. Now, the most important match is against Strasbourg. It’s an important test. We don’t necessarily have to win, but we have to replicate what we showed today. That would be a step towards becoming a great team. That’s another objective I had when I arrived here.
De Zerbi: “We have to forget this and prepare for what’s next.”
What should this victory change in your team?
It shouldn’t change anything. This is a very strong group of players. The defeat against Real Madrid taught us some things, tactically, and highlighted our strengths. We have a strong, very strong team. Friday’s match must be an important response, even more so than today’s.
How do you celebrate the victory while focusing on Strasbourg? How do you maintain this high level of performance?
I’m focused on preparing my players as best as possible. We have to celebrate the victory properly, with respect, of course. Then we have to move on. That’s the nature of sport; the past is history. The match is over. We have to forget it and prepare for the next one against a strong team, one that is higher in the standings. We’re on the right path to becoming a great club, but if we don’t win against Strasbourg, it means we’re not ready yet.
De Zerbi: “To be a protagonist against a stronger team.”
Did team cohesion come quickly?
It was great to see this desire to press, to be a protagonist against a stronger team, the European Champion. But this is our home, and we want to make sure no one can silence our stadium.
