«He has proved that he can become a very good central defender. He has the qualities to become just that but isn’t just yet but that is just because of a few details. He can become really good and we’ve known that for a while but sometimes, certain players remain prospects. I hope it won’t be the case for Ronald with all the qualities he possesses ». The compliment from Eric Gerets, made on Tuesday night in front of the Press, had still not been heard by Ronald Zubar on Wednesday morning when we met up with him to go over his season. «I’ve had a difficult season with all the competition   but also with certain personal events that messed up my life ", he reminds us from the start. "It didn’t help me play a season as I would have wanted to and that the management were expecting from me . A lot of things meant that I was unable to live up to ther expectations ».

OM-STRASBOURG
"Not a game just for the fun "



"It’s the last game in front of our supporters. We want to put in a great performance even if we don’t have our destiny in our hands. We have to win and hope that Nancy slip up against Rennes. Against Le Mans, we weren’t able to score the little goal which would have made a difference, but we didn’t lose and didn’t concede.
We’ll give our all in this final game in order to finish in third place. It would be good for the club, the management and the whole city.
We are focused. The coach has us motivated as this week and this game are not just for fun. We’re all on the same wavelength in training. Anyone could be in the starting line-up and we’ll all be concentrating right up to Saturday night".

Up against Gael Givet, Julien Rodriguez, Lorik Cana and Jacques Faty in the centre of defence, Ronald Zubar’s season was also disrupted by the death of his best friend. A terrible ordeal that the man from Guadeloupe has managed to get through. Even during the difficult times the former Caen player has not let his head drop  : «You have to get on with things. I’ve always given 100% in training and given my best to the team. The Coach know’s it. He is also aware of my potential when I’m fully fit. He has confidence in me. He has given me another chance during the last two games. I’ve stood up to be counted. It’s a little late as th eseason is coming to an end but I have no regrets. I’m happy with what I have been able to do as I’ve played in over 20 games (20 in the League and 6 in the different cup competitions), which isn’t negligeable!».

"In adversity, you always learn "

A few days before the last game of the season which will be decisive for the attribution of 3rd place, Ronald Zubar already has an early analysis of the season. His second at Olympique de Marseille. «Not everything was negative. In adversity, you always learn. I’m still young, I’ve listened to the older guys like Julien (Rodriguez), Lorik (Cana), Gael (Givet) and all the others. It helps me progress. We have a quite young squad. If we manage to end up in third place, we would have had a great season. There is, however, a lot of regret concerning the Coupe de France and the UEFA Cup. But if we finish in third place, we’ll be content with the our amazing climb up the table ».

If that was the case, the defender and his teammates would be once again able to taste the joys of the Champions League.