Roberto De Zerbi considering Marseille base camp in Italy for rest of season | OneFootball

With the club gripped by internal tension and the external pressure of battling for UEFA Champions League qualification, Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi is is considering an extraordinary step to save his side’s season: a long-term training retreat, potentially in Italy, that could begin as early as next week. According to a report from L’Équipe, the Italian coach is seriously considering a multi-week training camp away from the La Commanderie training ground, with the possibility of relocating to Italy until the end of the campaign.Marseille’s current third place Champions League spot currently hands by a thread, with Lyon trailing one point behind and LOSC as well as Strasbourg chasing just behind on 50 points. Les Olympiens face bottom side Montpellier this evening at the Vélodrome (21:05 CET).Speaking in an explosive interview with La Provence, Olympique de Marseille director of football Medhi Benatia has said that a potential non-qualifcation to the Champions League would have far-reaching consequences for the club financially. “If there we don’t have the Champions League next season, it would be a disaster,” said the former Juventus and Bayern Munich defender. “Without TV rights and without the Champions League, with the club’s salaries and expenses, I was told that it would be very complicated. It’s a calculated gamble, a risk taken by the decision-makers. I’m not the one making these decisions, but we’re all aware of them. When I ask everyone at the club to do a little bit more, it’s not for nothing.”This is in the context of reported tensions at the club following a loss to Stade de Reims (3-1) where De Zerbi had cancelled rest days after ordering players to stay the night at the Commanderie training ground. At a press conference attended by Get French Football News, De Zerbi came out swinging. “I always make my decisions for the club. With my extreme methods, I try to lead OM to our final objective. Some people make me out to be a criminal, it’s not fair, I am a good person. It annoyed me, I don’t have any players against me, it’s not true. I don’t want to be liked by everyone but even my mum called me this morning and asked me: what did you do? Making out that I was a criminal and a delinquent when I’m not.”The goal has been clearly stated by all at the club: Champions League qualification at all costs to avoid a potential disaster. Can an unprecedented move to take OM’s players away from the pressure cooker of the Commanderie have the desired effect for De Zerbi?GFFN | George Boxall