Leader of Ligue 1 two weeks ago, OM have experienced an unfortunate downturn since then. Beaten in Lens (2-1) and neutralized at home by Angers (2-2), the Marseillais thus returned the hand to their great Parisian rivals. In a period that was all the more gloomy as the infirmary continued to fill up.
To the long absences of Geoffrey Kondogbia and Hamed Traoré were added those of Facundo Medina and Amine Gouiri for several months as well. Fate has also been hard on Leonardo Balerdi, Timothy Weah and Bilal Nadir these days.
This Saturday, it was therefore particularly weakened that the Olympians presented themselves on the pitch of AJ Auxerre. Also undermined by one more piece of bad news. During the warm-up, Nayef Aguerd – the new boss of the Marseille defense – felt muscular discomfort…
Eight Marseillais on the flank
Result: an unexpected package to manage for Roberto De Zerbi who in a hurry had to review his plans and launch Emerson Palmieri from the kick-off. An Italian defender who initially had to be spared after also suffering an alert during the last training session.
Four days before a crucial Champions League match against Atalanta Bergamo at the Vélodrome, OM therefore appears more diminished than ever. Beware of the black series…
