“A match with a little more flavor…”
These are the terms in which Roberto De Zerbi described this Olympico which will pit Lyon against his team from Marseille, this Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.). After an almost perfect start to the season, theOM
intends to confirm against one of his biggest rivals.
But the Marseille club must deal with a reduced squad since Ruben Blanco, Bilal Nadir, Quentin Merlin, Faris Moumbagna and recruit Adrien Rabiot have withdrawn from this match, while defender Derek Cornelius is suspended.
3 uncertainties in OM’s starting 11
Roberto De Zerbi will therefore have to tinker to concoct a competitive eleven. The left-back position is questionable. Mutillo would be the one holding the rope. “I don’t have a backup for Merlin. Not all players are the same, you have to respect each one’s characteristics. We also have Lirola and Murillo, there are variations. It’s a significant absence, Merlin had a very good start to the season, you have to adapt.”
In central defense, Balerdi’s availability will determine his coach’s choices, while Meïté is also a candidate for a starting spot. Finally, up front, OM could still rely on Neal Maupay up front, after the Franco-Argentinian’s successful debut against Nice (2-0).
The expected line-up for OM : Rulli – Rongier, Brassier, Balerdi (or Meïté), Murillo – Kondogbia, Hojberg – Greenwood, Harit, Henrique – Maupay.
