De Zerbi Takes Marseille On Italian Camp To Boost Champions League Push

Olympique de Marseille are already planning for the future as they look to return to the Champions League, despite the French teams absence from European football this season.

Currently sitting second in Ligue 1 with just four matches remaining, recent inconsistent form has prompted head coach Roberto De Zerbi to take drastic measures.

Marseille had lost five of their last seven matches before hammering bottom-placed Montpellier 5-1 last weekend. However, with only four points separating them from the chasing pack, De Zerbi is leaving nothing to chance.

In a bid to refocus and unite the squad ahead of a crucial run-in, the Italian tactician has taken a traditional approach from his homeland - a training retreat, known in Italy as a ritiro .

On Tuesday, the squad flew out to Rome, where they are staying at a five-star hotel and training at a small stadium along the Tiber River, north of the capital. The players also paid a visit to the Vatican on Wednesday as part of the trip.