Ligue 1 – Before the PSG-OM Classic: Use of Payet, versatile, adapted: Gerson is finally at the level – Eurosport FR

Gerson has finally found his way. Often in difficulty, and sometimes completely lost during his first months, the Brazilian midfielder has finally taken on the role of driving force within the Olympique de Marseille collective. Slightly in the hollow this winter after a great start, Jorge Sampaoli’s men face an exciting end to the season with this semi-final of the Europa League Conference and the final sprint of Ligue 1. If it is well negotiated, this last could allow them to find the Champions League next season. “It will be up to us to find the formula to be competitive in both competitions,” warned Jorge Sampaoli on Saturday. And good news: with Gerson, he has an ideal spare engine for his animation in the midfield. Especially since the Brazilian is physically fueled in this spring. Guaranteed to remain 2nd at the end of this 32nd day after the defeat of Stade Rennais against Monaco (2-3) at the opening, Marseille will therefore move to the Parc des Princes with the relaxed spirit for the Classic against Paris Saint-Germain (8:45 p.m.). Winner at the Parc at the start of the 2020-2021 season, after a cup match, OM dream of doing a dirty trick to their rival by drawing on their current strengths, in particular this midfield, provided quantitatively, technically and finally back at its August-September level. Not at the party back then, Gerson is about to become an indispensable part of it. He finally understood what his role was in the different systems of his Argentine coach, unpredictable with his schemes, and at the origin of his return to Europe last summer. But that’s also the strength of OM, they are a coherent team, while being continually unpredictable.Ligue 1Milik absent from the Marseille group, Mandanda holder?4 HOURS AGO torchbearer, a position with which he had completely revived in Brazil under the colors of Flamengo, Gerson had gone through his first months at Marseille being totally lost on the lawn. The main problem for the Brazilian had been his inability to adapt to several positions, especially during matches. One of the hallmarks of the “Sampaolian” philosophy. Recruited precisely for this versatility at great cost – 25 million euros, the most expensive transfer of the Marseille transfer window in 2021 – the 24-year-old player had quickly disappointed observers for his inability not to adapt. However, he had played the spare wheels during his time at AS Roma (2016-2019), especially in 2017-2018, alternating the right wing, but also a little presence in the midfield of the team of Eusebio Di Francesco, a technician whose confidence he had gained, but who had targeted a physical lack in his game. At Fiorentina, in 2018-2019, he had recovered his favorite position, in number eight, but without walking on water.”OM found a balance with their goalkeepers that PSG couldn’t find”The main problem was that he was not able to be an actor in the game. Worse still, he tended to walk on the flowerbeds of Dimitri Payet, free spirit leader in front of the eternal of this OM. Last October, when the first doubts had started to rise, Sampaoli had reminded everyone of what he expected of him, positioning himself as the main responsible for this difficult situation. “He is a player who has the ability to evolve at several heights in the midfield. Where he does it best is as an organizer, in the axis, which he had done well with his former club. And that’s why he was called up for selection. He is asked to participate more in the construction and he must also adapt to the rhythm of Ligue 1”, recalled the Argentinian, patient with his player but above all demanding. “At the moment, we haven’t found that rhythm yet so that he can make those differences. When a player has to improve in this way and he’s not yet at the level, it’s a the coach’s task, so it’s the coach’s fault. We have to develop the player more quickly so that he can make the difference and that’s also why we have to be more demanding with a player like Gerson.” Thinking back to the Gerson case, it is impossible not to think of that of Valentin Rongier. Not versatile enough in the eyes of Jorge Sampaoli, the French midfielder had almost not been part of the Argentine coach’s plans for this 2021-2022 exercise. A discussion later, as he had revealed to Téléfoot recently, Rongier had recovered his roadmap to win the favor of the former coach of Argentina and Chile. Not useful enough with the ball at the foot in the construction game, perfectible in holding his position, need to be more versatile, even if it means learning a new position as a piston, the former Nantes player needed to carry out Herculean work to to be one of the components of the “Sampaolian” OM of the future. And he did. Valentin Rongier, Gerson: same ailments, same fight and same remedy: work and resilience. Jorge Sampaoli had also defended the good mentality of the Brazilian: “He has been training the same from the start.” A problem of adaptation and a mental block Still supported by OM, the Brazilian had confided that he had problems adapting to in the fall, the ills he had known in Italy and which had precipitated his return to Brazil. Add to that the complexity of Ligue 1, a championship where it is difficult for foreign players to adapt. “It’s a more physical championship, with more pressing, it’s different from Brazil. It has to get up to speed here,” explained Sampaoli from a technical point of view. For Gerson, the problem he suffered from was certainly “football”, but also mental. Again, Eusebio Di Francesco had perceived this problem with him four years ago. Gerson had dealt with his trust issues himself. “I’m a little too stuck, I have to try to free myself to show who the real Gerson is. I have to keep a good state of mind and stay focused on football. Positive things can come out of criticism”. Is Neymar finished? “It’s as stupid to bury him as to believe he’s saved”The start of the Gerson trigger came shortly before the transition to 2022, in December. Positioned a notch higher by Jorge Sampaoli to alternate near the surface with Dimitri Payet, Gerson had started to find colors, he who has always been skilful in the opposing box. One thing leading to another, he gradually found his mark where he was expected, as a versatile element, by bringing that little extra in the mid-attack relay. Whether 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1, 4-4-2, 3-4-2-1, 3-4-3 – the most used by Sampaoli, without forgetting their variants in the middle of a match – Gerson has found the keys to performing everywhere in the midfield. From a player in difficulty, he became an assistant lieutenant of Dimitri Payet for animation, a scorer, a passer (6 goals and 8 assists in total including 5 and 6 since December) and a real Swiss army knife who is now proving to be very valuable. Left midfielder, right midfielder in a four-midfield system, wide midfielder in a three-midfield system, number eight, central playmaker, nine and a half, the native of Rio State has visited every possible corner of a football pitch this season. Gerson finally became Gerson. Only one winner in all this and the good one: OM.Payet and Gerson during Marseille – LilleCredit: ImagoLigue 1MNM: A big match for a little forgiveness? 16 HOURS AGOLigue 1Mandanda holder? Sampaoli did not decide: “I am grateful for him but…” YESTERDAY AT 12:41