“I could play like Egan-Riley at 63”: Di Meco criticises Marseille

“I could play like Egan-Riley at 63,” Eric Di Meco said, voicing his frustration with what he sees as Marseille’s shortcomings. Sunday’s 0-2 win away to Troyes in the sixth round of Ligue 1 did little to change his view. Marseille ended a run of four consecutive league defeats, but the result did not silence the former defender’s criticism.

Speaking on RMC on Monday, during the Super Moscato Show and Rothen s’enflamme, Di Meco criticised several Marseille players who featured in the victory. His sharpest comments were aimed at CJ Egan-Riley. He accused the defender of repeatedly playing sideways despite having space ahead of him, rather than carrying the ball forward to open up gaps and draw opponents out. In Di Meco’s view, lateral passes should help create space, but a player must then advance; he believes Egan-Riley does not do that.

Di Meco broadened his criticism to the Marseille squad, arguing that without the Bosman ruling several OM players would not be playing in the top flight, but in lower divisions or even the National. He also singled out Igor Paixao: “Our stars are disastrous. Paixao sulks when he comes off, even though he’s been awful. At some point, you have to think about the team. Luckily, there are the young lads…”

The victory at Troyes ended Marseille’s losing run in Ligue 1, but it was not enough to reassure Di Meco about the team’s play or the attitude of some of its players.