Roberto De Zerbi showcased his signature irony in response to comments made by Bayeux FC coach Éric Fouda, as Olympique de Marseille gears up for their Coupe de France round of 32 match against Bayeux FC (from the sixth tier) on Tuesday night in Caen.
During a pre-match press conference on Monday, the OM head coach emphasized the significance of the Coupe de France in Marseille’s campaign, coming off a narrow defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the recent Trophée des Champions.
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“It’s a crucial objective,” De Zerbi stated at the press conference reported by La Provence. “We enjoyed the Trophée des Champions final, and now we aim to advance far in this competition.”
However, the focus shifted quickly to Fouda’s comments in the French media, where the Bayeux coach (whose team plays in the amateur sixth tier) offered tactical insights leading up to the clash with the Ligue 1 side. While De Zerbi emphasized his respect for the opposing team, he couldn’t help but make a cheeky remark.
“They are an opponent we respect,” he said. “I understand the coach enjoys discussing football and giving advice to his peers. If he wants to share some tips with me, I’m open to it — I’ll gladly share my number.”
In light of PSG’s recent loss to Paris FC in the Coupe de France, those in Marseille are optimistic that Les Phocéens can seize the opportunity to pursue their first Coupe de France title since 1989.