Adrien Rabiot flourishes in new midfield role for Marseille

Roberto De Zerbi's choice to switch Adrien Rabiot's positioning has paid off for Olympique de Marseille in recent weeks, with the Frenchman scoring four goals since the turn of the year.

Olympique de Marseille are continuing their steady progression since the turn of the year under the ever-innovating Roberto De Zerbi. On Saturday afternoon, Les Olympiens managed to seal their third successive win in style against AS Saint-Étienne (5-1) and French midfielder Adrien Rabiot managed to find the back of the net for a fifth time this season and for the fourth time in 2025.

The former Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain man made a marauding run at the back post and was perfectly positioned to nod home OM's fifth goal of the game against Sainté, even beating teammate and fellow midfielder Pierre Emile-Højbjerg to Amar Dedic's pinpoint volleyed-cross towards the back post. Three of his five goals for Marseille have been headed efforts this season, as the Frenchman has adapted to a more attacking offensive role in Roberto De Zerbi's 3-4-2-1 formation. In the past, this has been a role that has been occupied by the likes of Pascal Gross and Alexis Mac Allister at different times during De Zerbi's tenure at Brighton.

Heading onwards and upwards

When asked about the goal-scoring form of OM's midfielders this season, Rabiot credited head coach Roberto De Zerbi when speaking to BeIn Sports following Saturday's win over Saint-Étienne. "That’s what the coach asks of us because he knows I can make attacking runs and be present in the box, especially with headers."

De Zerbi saw the attributes necessary in the Frenchman, in his height at 1.91 metres and an excellent sense of positioning to be able to make late runs into the box. Back in 2016, as a young French prospect with PSG, Rabiot admitted, "Defensively, I'm solid, but I don't score enough headers." Now, it has become one of his most lethal weapons.

His international record also highlights this trend, with four of his six goals for France coming via headers (67%). Notably, he became the first French player since Zinédine Zidane in the 1998 World Cup final to score a headed brace in an official competition, achieving the feat against Italy last November.

Media Ratings for Adrien Rabiot vs Saint-Étienne

L’Équipe – 7/10: "He can't stop scoring! Well-placed to convert Dedić’s assist (77’), Rabiot netted his fourth goal of 2025. He also played a key role in Gouiri’s goal, dragging defenders out of position."

Get French Football News - 7/10: "Another solid evening for the French international, creating a good level of link-up play with OM's attackers. He managed to get into a few good attacking positions and managed to nod in his fifth goal this season in the second period."

Foot Mercato – 6.5/10: "Deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, Rabiot had an early chance (23’) but was denied. Though relatively quiet, he still contributed to OM’s attacking dominance and found the net late on."

Rabiot's positional switch-up pays off

Rabiot's repositioning further up the pitch for Les Phocéens since the turn of the year has clearly proved fruitful for De Zerbi and Marseille, with four of his five goals this season coming in 2025. He enjoys a more fluid offensive midfield position thanks to the hard work of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and more recently Ismaël Bennacer who act as lower double pivot when in possession of the ball. The two holding midfielders will be in different lines during the build-up. This is crucial for creating passing lanes and disrupting the opposition’s defensive structure.

Not only does Rabiot's offensive flurries see himself get into several good positions to score, but he also affords OM's offensive players some more space. This was clear to see with Amine Gouiri's long-range opener against Saint-Étienne, helped by Rabiot's burst to get in-behind.

"This is what we want to do. It's what we've been trying to implement since the start of the season. Naturally, in the beginning, it took some time to find our rhythm. Now, from match to match, we see improvement. We are patient in our play, and we manage to score," said Rabiot following the game. "This is what the coach demands, and we're happy. We play each match at 100% until the final whistle. Everyone is capable of scoring, everyone attacks, everyone defends."

As Les Phocéens hope to make as much progress behind Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table, Rabiot's role will be key going into the final third of the season and OM look to secure Champions League football.

HIGHLIGHTS : Marseille dominate Saint-Étienne (5-1)

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