Olympique de Marseille faced a disappointing exit from the Coupe de France against Stade Rennais, and Coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed frustration at the lack of squad depth exacerbated by numerous absences linked to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and injuries. While the Italian tactician acknowledged the difficulties faced, he refrained from seeking sympathy and emphasized the team’s commendable performance despite the adverse circumstances.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gattuso addressed questions about the absence of key players and the team’s apparent lack of creativity. He responded, “I don’t understand the meaning of the question.
I’m not here to complain; I know there are players missing, but that’s not the theme of the evening.” Gattuso acknowledged the challenges of playing in a challenging stadium and lamented conceding an avoidable goal.
The coach admitted that Marseille lacked creativity and quality during the match but stopped short of placing blame on the available players.
He provided updates on the injured players, stating, “(Bilal) Nadir has a knee problem, the severity of which we do not yet know.
For (Michael) Murillo, we are waiting to have more information.” Gattuso also praised the new additions to the squad, emphasizing that the goal is not to overwhelm them, acknowledging their positive contributions despite the team’s struggles.
While expressing his disappointment at the elimination, Gattuso maintained a forward-looking perspective, focusing on the resilience displayed by the team and refraining from dwelling on the challenges posed by absent players.
The coach’s measured response underscores his commitment to addressing squad issues constructively as Marseille navigates a demanding period in the season.
