Olympique de Marseille no longer has a choice. With only three points on the clock after four days, the result of defeats against Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon and Atalanta Bergamo, the Olympian club must absolutely win against Newcastle on Wednesday to maintain its chances of qualifying for the rest of the competition.
A new setback against the Magpies would certainly not be mathematically crippling but would further complicate the task of the Ciel et Blanc, who will continue with two trips to Belgium, on the lawns of Club Bruges and Union Saint-Gilloise, and the reception of Liverpool.
In search of their second victory in the competition, OM will have to deal with several absences, particularly in defense, where Nayef Aguerd, Facundo Medina, Michael Murillo will be missing. Also, alongside Benjamin Pavard and Leonardo Balerdi, in the central hinge, and Emerson, expected to occupy the left flank of the defense, it is Timothy Weah who should be aligned on the right side.
O’Riley and Vermeeren preferred over Kondogbia?
In attack, in the absence of Amine Gouiri, Pierre-Emeryck Aubameyang should once again start, with Igor Paixao and Mason Greenwood alongside him.
The main uncertainty in the Marseille composition therefore lies in midfield. If Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg seems assured of starting the match, there are four in the balance for the two remaining places: Geoffrey Kondogbia, Matt O’Riley, Arthur Vermeeren and Angel Gomes. And if L’Equipe and RMC see the former Monegasque starting the match, just a few days after his return to competition after two months of absence, La Provence indicates this Wednesday that Roberto De Zerbi should trust Matt O’Riley and Arthur Vermeeren.
The probable line-up for OM against Newcastle:
Rulli – Weah, Pavard, Balerdi, Emerson – Hojbjerg, O’Riley – Vermeeren – Greenwood, Aubameyang, Paixao.
