It was the first time for Roberto De Zerbi also on the Marseille bench – and the Italian coach was able to measure in match conditions the scale of the task he is facing in a troubled and uncertain period regarding the final shape of his team.
Without Ismaël Koné and Mason Greenwood but with Lilian Brassier on the pitch at kick-off – and Leonardo Balerdi promoted to captain – the Olympians, admittedly still in the recovery phase, proved clumsy against the Crocodiles playing in the National and whose championship resumes in two weeks.
Two approximations in the cage by Ruben Blanco and Jelle Van Neck allowed Nîmes to find the fault on either side of the break (41e47e). For a disappointing but hardly worrying 0-2 setback. Especially since the team lined up for the second act – very Gambardella-driven – sometimes showed great disposition.
See you in three days
Roberto De Zerbi will not have to wait long to see his players back in action, in three days against Toulon (National 2) – still at the Commanderie. Three additional preparation matches will follow against Pau (Ligue 2), Sunderland (Championship) and Augsburg (Bundesliga).
The Marseille eleven in the first half:
Blanco – Méïté, Brassier, Balerdi, Merlin – Ounahi, Kondogbia – Abdallah, Harit, Luis Henrique – Moumbagna.
The Marseille eleven in the 2nd half:
Van Neck – Lirola, Nyakossi, Daou, Soglo – Lafont, Bakola – Mughe, Sellami, Ben Seghir – Sternal.
