OM-Rennes (CdF): Press conference

The Replay of the press conference on Twitch

Ethan Nwaneri: ‘I want to help write the club's history’

The early days

The first week was a tough one. We didn't get the results we wanted, but we're heading in the right direction and overall it's very positive.

His role, instructions

He just gave me a few tactical pointers on where to be to get on the ball. He gave me a lot of freedom. I do that to help my teammates.

His physical condition

I wasn't 100% when I arrived, but I'm feeling better now. We're working with the staff to get there, but I feel good.

Return to Arsenal after the season

Yes, anything is possible in football. We'll see if there are any contacts.

The reasons for his arrival at OM

Marseille is a big club. The coach, the supporters, everything is extraordinary. I didn't think twice about it. It's a great experience to have under my belt.

The supporters

Yes, 100%. There are a lot of supporters here, a lot of passion. The coach too. We feel that responsibility towards the supporters.

Elimination from the Champions League

The whole team was very disappointed. It was difficult and disappointing. But there was another match coming up quickly and we didn't have time to think about it.

The pressure

It pushes me, it boosts me. I want to help write the club's history. It's more motivation than pressure.

A group affected

Many players want to do well for the supporters. The last few minutes were frustrating. But we bounced back immediately.

Mason Greenwood

He's a good person, he's humble, he's down to earth. He has a lot of qualities. I think we can play together.

OM-Rennes

The support of the fans is important. You can even see it in training. We want to do good things for the fans.

Roberto De Zerbi: ‘I want players who are hungry’

The speech

I do my job by trying to give my all, as usual. You have to hang in there when the going gets tough. That's another thing I learned from my experience in Marseille. You have to be strong when things aren't going well. It's in moments like these that character, values and responsibility come to the fore.

The transfer window

Things are also done for ‘club’ reasons, for financial reasons. We have two players coming in and O'Riley would have had less playing time. For the other departures, it's a financial issue. As for Gomes, he'll play. It takes time. But when players are strong, as with Timber and Nwaneri, it takes less time.

Midfield

That's Timber's role. I try to put players in their positions. Players want to play, but we don't offer anyone a place. Many players suffer in this environment. The club is making changes to improve the team. It's not just about loans.

The state of the troops

There is some doubt about Aguerd, who has an adductor problem. Paixao came off in Paris. Emerson should be back. He could be available.

An important match

Bruges was also important, as was Kuwait. There are always the most important matches of the season if you want to be competitive. In Kuwait, there was a trophy at the end. In Bruges, with a win, we could have played in the play-offs.

Amir Murillo

Let me explain clearly. It's very simple. Everyone sees the goals from a throw-in, the goals conceded at the end of the match. I understand mistakes in football. But I want to see hunger. When I make a decision, I make mistakes. I like Murillo a lot, he's very strong. If you're not hungry, you don't play. If you're not hungry, you don't come with me. That goes for Murillo and everyone else. I want to see hunger like Greenwood showed in Paris. You can make mistakes, you can lose, but you have to be hungry. That's my decision.

A decision made in good faith. I take responsibility when there are defeats. There was a bit of a lack of hunger. After 3-0, you have to run. Murillo is one of the few players who came to my house. But I want players who are hungry. Everyone has to be in the same boat. I stand by what I do.

I can see mistakes on the pitch, I can make mistakes, but you have to be hungry.

As for Kondogbia and Vermeeren, they got into a heated exchange on the pitch, but I'm willing to pay for players to get into heated exchanges. On the pitch, it's one thing, but 30 minutes later in the dressing room, it's different. There can be heated exchanges on the pitch.

The supporters

Right now, we're in the wrong. We have to apologise and try to improve. The stadium is a mirror. What you give on the pitch comes back to you. You have to be prepared to be booed. We can face this difficult moment like men, even if we're angry, but we have to take responsibility and try to change things.

The pressure

We know the demands and expectations of the club when we sign here. We know what happens in certain places. Here, it's special, the pressure is higher than elsewhere. It's great when things go well and difficult when they go badly. One or two years is not enough to build a strong team. It takes more time to build a competitive team. My job is to try not to lose games in Bruges, not to draw against Paris FC or lose against Nantes.

Message to the supporters

We have quality in the dressing room. Our difficulties are obvious. We can't hide from that. We are too inconsistent. When you are indebted, you keep quiet. We need the good Orange Vélodrome. But it has never been against us, the stadium has always helped the players. If we get off to a good start, we'll get the crowd behind us.

Benjamin Pavard

He might play, he might not play. I expect him to play like Pavard, like he did in Kuwait. No more, no less.

Penalty kicks

Yes, we'll try to work on penalties. But it's difficult to recreate the atmosphere at the Orange Vélodrome. In training, it's simple, but in the stadium, the goals are smaller and the goalkeeper is bigger.