OM: the very dirty evening of William Saliba

William Saliba was the big boss of this Marseille defense. We even expected it in the France team. This Thursday evening, against Lazio (2-2), he completely missed out.

In recent weeks, if there is one player who stands out outside the usual, it is William Saliba. The central defender, loaned by Arsenal this year, acts like a defensive rock, ensures in his raises and especially tries, from time to time to pierce a few first curtains ball at the foot. He was also promised greater.

Bigger ? Yes, to be on Didier Deschamps’ list for the matches against Kazakhstan and Finland. Finally, the coach preferred other elements (Lenglet, Zouma, Upamecano in particular). He was therefore expected again this Thursday evening, at the Orange Vélodrome, in front of nearly 60,000 people in a very important match against Lazio Rome (2-2).

Involved on both goals

Let’s say it right away, he did not pass the test successfully. From the first moments, we felt him hesitating. He missed a few raises which resulted, not in chances, but in lazial situations. At the very end of the first period, he tries to do who knows what and puts back, with a flat foot, the leather on Felipe Anderson, who equalized (45th +7).

In the second half, we thought it was going to be even worse and it was. On a ball back from Valentin Rongier, he totally misses the ball and sees Ciro Immobile give the advantage to the Italians (49th). In a press conference, Jorge Sampaoli was questioned about this error and especially about the fact of always relaunching short.

” Honestly I think it’s the form. During the first period, we started off and that’s when we conceded a goal. We have to be more careful with the balls and better manage the game. I am more concerned about the first goal than the error on the second. We always started from the back, I don’t think I would change my style of play “, He explained. It was a little better afterwards. But after his non-summons for the French team at the beginning of the afternoon and his match this Thursday evening, William Saliba must have had a better day …