Three days after its disillusionment in Lisbon, Olympique de Marseille wants to regain its momentum. Beaten 2-1 by Sporting in the Champions League, OM have no time to feel sorry for themselves: a test of character awaits them this Saturday at Bollaert against a revitalized and ambitious RC Lens. Roberto De Zerbi, faithful to his philosophy of the game, decided to react not by blocking, but by innovating. And his starting eleven, which fell a few hours before kick-off, has two notable surprises in store.
De Zerbi bets on youth
The two new features concern the offensive and creative sector. The Italian technician chose to line up Robinio Vaz and Bilal Nadir from the start, two emerging faces of the Marseille project. Vaz, 18, impressed with his audacity and composure at each appearance, while Nadir, more discreet but hardworking, inherits the role of link between the lines in a remodeled 4-2-3-1. A double bet assumed: “hunger and the desire to progress”,
two qualities that De Zerbi has often praised in his young shoots.
This choice also reflects a form of continuity with his pre-match speech: to bounce back through the game, not through fear. In a context of fatigue and absences (Kondogbia, Traoré, Medina, Gouiri), the Italian maintains his guideline: trust young people and collective dynamics rather than experience at all costs.
An offensive and daring eleven
The starting lineup revolves around Rulli in goal, with Murillo, Balerdi, Aguerd and Emerson in defense. In front of them, the Højbjerg–O'Riley pair ensures the balance of the game, while Nadir takes control behind the Greenwood–Vaz–Weah trio. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, left after Lisbon, starts on the bench. A strong choice, designed as much to spare the Gabonese as to energize offensive transitions. The objective: to surprise Lens with mobility, speed and high pressing.
Faced with Pierre Sage and his Sang et Or, OM expects a battle of intensity in an incandescent Bollaert. The Lensois coach has already warned: “We will never present ourselves as victims”. OM must prove that they can take the blows without denying themselves. De Zerbi, who Sage recently took a swipe at in an interview, is playing big: showing that his philosophy can survive adversity and criticism.
Youth as a message
Beyond the composition, the signal sent is clear: De Zerbi is building for tomorrow as much as he is trying to win today. Robinio Vaz and Bilal Nadir embody this new breath, that of an OM ready to regenerate in adversity. In Bollaert, more than a simple restart match, it is an affirmation: that of a coach who prefers to rely on conviction rather than prudence. And if youth becomes the key, then OM could well regain momentum where it had lost it.
OM's eleven against Lens: Rulli – Murillo, Aguerd, Balerdi, Emerson – O'Riley, Højbjerg – Greenwood, Nadir, Weah – Vaz.
