Bouna Sarr, a pivotal figure in Olympique de Marseille’s memorable 2018 Europa League campaign, continues to closely monitor the club’s progress, even as he prepares to depart for Bayern Munich.
In an exclusive interview with L’Équipe, the Senegalese international shared insights ahead of Marseille’s upcoming crucial fixture against Atalanta in Bergamo.
Reflecting on Marseille’s season, Sarr highlighted the leadership qualities of four key players whom he believes have played a significant role in guiding the team through various challenges.
“Veretout is the epitome of consistency, exhibiting remarkable stability throughout the season,” Sarr remarked. “Despite occasional lapses, his unwavering performance has been commendable.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sarr emphasized the Gabonese striker’s pivotal contribution to the team.
“Auba faced criticism, understandable given the demanding Marseille environment. However, his resilience and subsequent string of goals and assists underline his indispensability to the squad.”
Sarr also lauded the progress of Leonardo Balerdi, noting the defender’s development since their acquaintance in 2020.
“Balerdi’s consistent improvement, coupled with the trust placed in him by various coaches, is no coincidence. He has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s standout defenders.”
Finally, Sarr reserved special praise for Chancel Mbemba, affectionately dubbed “the boss” by Marseille faithful. “Mbemba’s commanding presence and defensive prowess have solidified his position as a leader within the team,” Sarr added.
As Marseille prepares for the crucial Europa League showdown against Atalanta, Sarr’s insights shed light on the collective leadership within the squad, underlining the crucial roles played by Veretout, Aubameyang, Balerdi, and Mbemba in steering the team towards success.
