Ex-Marseille star says 'fear' and 'negativity' are holding club back

Marseille have been plunged into fresh turmoil after the side surrendered a two-goal lead at home to draw 2-2 with Strasbourg, a result that followed a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and the departures of manager Roberto De Zerbi and director of football Medhi Benatia.

Former defender Adil Rami warned that a culture of "fear" and "negativity" is actively preventing top talent from joining the club. Rami, who represented Marseille between 2017 and 2019, said the pressure of playing for such an emotionally charged club often becomes a burden.

"Sometimes even, to be honest, we play with fear, even when we win," he said, adding: "And we start to think negatively, saying to ourselves 'well, we're winning 2-0 but if we concede one, we're cooked.' It’s serious to think like that." The recent chaos followed De Zerbi's acrimonious exit, with his tenure described as one of tactical innovation but extreme dressing-room tension.

France, Marseille

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