The sky darkens on OM. Two days after the new Marseille defeat in Reims (3-1), the third consecutive and the eighth of the season in Ligue 1, and the loss of 2nd place in the championship, the club has just received the results of the exams carried out by Leonardo Balerdi. The Argentinian was hit in the left knee at the Auguste-Delaune stadium and was forced to give up his place in the 34th minute.
The MRI passed by the defender confirms the fears of the medical staff who feared a sprain from the internal lateral ligament. The Marseille captain must thus observe a rest evaluated at “Several weeks” reveals the club which did not give more details. Balerdi will therefore miss the next meetings against Toulouse and Monaco, at least, informs Provence.
An important element
As a result, Roberto de Zerbi must quickly find a spare solution. This absence of Balerdi nevertheless constitutes a hard blow for the Italian technician who is due to his player, an indisputable holder in central defense. “Without Balerdi, we have no fast defender, it cost us. When he is not there, the team changes. We often lose when he is absent ”said RDZ after the match against Reims.
To replace him, Roberto de Zerbi could align Pierre-Emilie Höjbjerg in central defense. Chancel Mbemba, sidelined by the professional group since the start of the season for extra sporting reasons, is also an option. However, according to information from the newspaper L'Équipe, there is no question of bringing the Congolese international back.
But today in Marseille, it is a question of raising its head as quickly as possible, because the club wishes to win a qualifying place for the Champions League. Now 3rd, OM was preceded by Monaco but above all could be caught up by Nice, Lille and Strasbourg.
