The reaction at the press conference of our Italian coach, Roberto De Zerbi, after his team’s 5-1 victory on the Stade Brestois 29 pitch on the occasion of the first day of Ligue 1 McDonald’s 2024-2025.
“We have to improve on the management of our style: possession of the ball, ball management, we have to do much better because the big teams always have more possession of the ball than the opponent. We wasted too much of the ball. We were too timid in the first half. We could have managed the ball better. The attacking players have to attack the depth but they also have to manage the ball with cleanliness and personality. We will continue to work to improve.
My DNA doesn’t change. All coaches have to adapt to the characteristics of the players. Luis Henrique, Wahi and Greenwood are fast and hurt. They have the ability to manage time. Having the ball means preparing an offensive phase, getting the opponent out. We have to improve, we will do it little by little. Wahi only did one day of training with us, Cornelius only did half-time with us. We don’t have time to test things, to try. So everything is more difficult.
I am very happy with the result, the team’s behavior, the seriousness of the players. I have serious players, it is a serious group and it is very important for me. I was not surprised by the quality of the players. We must improve on the quality and the mentality. After the fourth goal, we lowered our pace. We really have to play 90 minutes without thinking about the result.
Valentin Rongier, we applauded him in the locker room. We were happy for him, he is an important player for us. He had not played for eight months, we are very happy with his return especially in relation to everything he has endured.
I don’t know how long Faris Moumbagna will be out. That’s the negative point of the match. We support him, he’s a golden player and boy. I hope for him that he can come back quickly. We’re sad for Faris Moumbagna, we hope it won’t be serious. We don’t know what he has, he left in tears. It could be a fairly long injury.
Mason Greenwood is a player different from the others, he has an extraordinary level. I am happy that he scored. It will calm the controversies that surrounded his arrival.
