‘The most simple decision after not sleeping for two nights’ – Roberto De Zerbi explains decision to start Darryl Bakola against NewcastleGet French Football NewsFri, November 28, 2025 at 1:32 PM UTCSpeaking at a press conference attended by Get French Football News, Olympique de Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi revealed that he did not sleep for two nights before deciding to start 17 year-old Darryl Bakola in midfield against Newcastle in the Champions League.
“I didn’t sleep for two nights before Newcastle when I was told that Aguerd couldn’t play. I was thinking about Gomes, O’Riley, Nadir, Mason in the number 10 position… Sometimes we look for the most difficult situation but we leave out the easiest solution, and I chose the simplest one,” said De Zerbi in Friday’s conference.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Bakola is improving and deserved to play. Whether he’s 17, 18 or 42, if he gives me mental assurance, that’s the manager’s problem. Either he pushes him back every time, or he puts him on the pitch. I reviewed Bakola’s training on Saturday morning and thought it might be the right game for him. But I wouldn’t have played him if we hadn’t been playing at the Vélodrome. That stadium helps young players.”
GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from La Commanderie, Marseille
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