Essestial.
This is the adjective that best describes Valentin Rongier (28) since the start of the season.
The midfielder showed again this Wednesday, during the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Paris SG (2-1), that he was a centerpiece for Olympique de Marseille.
And in a new register, what's more.
To discover
Calendar and results Ligue 1
League 1 standings
A real chameleon
With the absences of Eric Bailly, Leonardo Balerdi and Nuno Tavares, the player trained at FC Nantes has been aligned in an unusual position: at the heart of central defense.
And for this great premiere, it was not only good.
He was amazing.
We saw him, among other things, pressing Vitinha - the Parisian -, winning important aerial and ground duels, covering dangerous situations or even relaunching cleanly.
As if he had always evolved behind it.
For Igor Tudor, taking him back a notch in this big meeting was "
not a bet
", but a "
choice
", as he indicated at a press conference this Friday.
The Croatian had complete confidence in his captain.
The latter paid him well since
Read alsoPSG: Kimpembe's big return to Monaco, Verratti forfeits in addition to Messi and Mbappé
This is not the first time that Valentin Rongier has had to adapt.
Flashback, more than a year and a half earlier.
During the 2021-2022 pre-season, the Frenchman does not enter into Jorge Sampaoli's plans.
But he decides to fight to win his place: "
The coach talked about the midfielders and he mentioned everyone, except me [...] Maybe it was something else and I made myself films, but from that moment on, I said to myself: 'Wait, he's not counting on me, he's going to see'
', he told
BFM Marseille Provence
, in December 2021. And by dint of self-sacrifice, he has established himself as one of the essential men of the Argentinian ... In a new position, hybrid: right side on the defensive phases and midfielder on the phases offensives.
A unique role that requires real adaptability.
“
I have the impression that we could even put him on the attack...He works, he is intelligent, he has the ability to adapt.
He comes out with extraordinary matches.
He never balks.
I'm a fan of this player
, "said Jonathan Clauss jokingly on Friday.
SEE ALSO -
The historic victory of Olympique de Marseille against Paris SG in the Coupe de France (2-1)
One of Igor Tudor's stock men
His game intelligence - combined with his physical and technical qualities - is partly what seduced Igor Tudor who decided to make him one of his basic men.
Since the start of the season, the ex-Nantais has been established nineteen times in Ligue 1. Better still, he is the third player most used by the ex-Hellas Verona technician in the league in terms of minutes, behind defenders Chancel Mbemba and Leonardo Balerdi.
“
Rongier gives me everything.
He's smart, he's got the run.
He is underestimated by the media and the public, he is really a fantastic player
, ”he explained, dithyrambic, last September.
Read also“Rongier is underestimated”: Tudor under the spell of the middle of OM
But Valentin Rongier is not only very efficient on the pitch.
He is also a true leader at heart.
And it is for this reason that Igor Tudor entrusted him with the vice-captaincy, behind the very experienced Dimitri Payet (35 years old).
But the latter having limited playing time this season, the professional central midfielder has been wearing it most of the time since this summer.
A fairly natural role for him: “
The armband does not change much.
I am very proud to wear it.
Many of us talk before games.
This responsibility does not weigh on me.
I stay myself, there are several of us pushing the team
“, he assured the journalists before the Classic.
This Saturday evening (9 p.m.), against Clermont Foot 63, he could again assume this responsibility.
Will he be able to lead the Phocaeans to victory?
