On the verge of challenging Shakhtar Donetsk on the European scene, OM had to sacrifice three players in this perspective.
This is how the UEFA regulations are made. After the initial phase of a continental competition, a committed club can only add three names to its initial list of elements called to play in Europe. OM, who recruited (or recovered) no less than five players this winter, were therefore forced to decide.
Opposed in eight days to the Ukrainians of Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the Europa League – a stage of the qualifying tournament for the round of 16 – the Marseille club has chosen to do without the services of its first two winter recruits, namely Jean Onana and Ulisses Garcia.
Gueye also excluded
In conflict with his management over his contract extension – he who will be at the end of his lease in the Marseille city next June – Pape Gueye is also not retained. This is unlike the returning Luis Henrique, freshly returned from Brazil, Quentin Merlin and Faris Moumbagna, all three integrated into the European group at the disposal of Gennaro Gattuso.
To this update could be added certain young people from the Olympians training center – UEFA is not opposed to such reinforcements. Second in their Europa League group this winter behind Brighton, OM missed the opportunity to qualify directly for the round of 16. It is in Hamburg, Germany, that the Phocéens will meet on February 15 to face Shakhtar before returning to the Vélodrome a week later.
