When in Rome… Why are Marseille training in Italy?

This week sees Roberto de Zerbi and Marseille take the unusual step of taking a trip away to Italy for the several weeks in the build-up to a heated run-in for the end of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season and the race for Champions League football. With no European competition to occupy their midweeks, Marseille have found a new way to fill that void.

Les Olympiens are heading for an extended training retreat in Rome, in what the Italian coach calls a crucial “ritiro lungo” to restore a sense of focus, harmony, and ambition. Marseille sit second in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table, just one point ahead of Monaco in third - with LOSC, Nice, and Lyon chasing just behind.

“With Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia, we thought about everything we could do to reach our objectives,” De Zerbi said after Marseille’s 5–1 win over Montpellier on Saturday. “We need to work on the mindset, on unity. Spending several weeks together can help us get where we want to go," said De Zerbi at a press conference attended by Ligue1.com. "It won’t change their lives, but it could change their careers.”

Marseille's squad are currently staying at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Cavalieri hotel situated to the North of Rome, and training 30 minutes away at the facilities of Roma City FC.

"Today, the only thing that matters is the match against Brest. The decision to go on a training camp was taken collectively, at a time when every detail can make a difference," said club president Pablo Longoria on the trip - which could last multiple weeks depending on Marseille's on-field performance. 

A symbolic visit to the Vatican

A delegation from Marseille visited the Vatican on Wednesday evening to pay their respects to Pope Francis who passed away on Monday morning. Roberto De Zerbi and club president Pablo Longoria laid a wreath in honour of the late pontiff. Les Olympiens will be training in Rome until Saturday, when they return to Marseille to undergo media obligations ahead of facing Stade Brestois on Sunday evening.

Les Phocéens suffered a series of setbacks in recent months, losing five of their last eight matches - but got back to winning ways in emphatic style against Montpellier last weekend. OM still just about hold second place, but need to finish in the top three if they are to qualify automatically for the Champions League next season.

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