Olympique de Marseille faces AEK Athens, in Greece, this Thursday evening, for the 4th day of the Europa League group stage (9 p.m.). Here is the expected line-up for the Marseille club.
There is the ranking photograph. And there is the reality of the moment. Leader of its group with 5 points on the clock, Olympique de Marseille nevertheless approaches its trip to Athens in a fairly heavy atmosphere. Weighed down by its poor performances in Ligue 1, Gennaro Gattuso’s team also has to deal with a flood of injuries for this trip to Greece.
The Italian technician has in fact communicated a particularly reduced group for this meeting. Victim of a knee sprain, Valentin Rongier will be absent for several months. Azzedine Ounahi is also out, as is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Absences to which is added that, planned, of Pape Gueye. In short, Gattuso is faced with a real headache for his team composition.
A headache for Gattuso
One thing is certain: Vitinha, rather to his advantage in recent weeks, will take his place on the front of an attack where leaders like Sarr, Harit and Ndiaye are expected. In midfield, Veretout and Kondogbia are also expected to start, while the defensive line should be more classic with Clauss, Gigot, Mbemba and Lodi. Pau Lopez will hold his place in the goals.
The expected lineup for OM: Lopez – Clauss, Gigot, Mbemba, Lodi – Kondogbia, Veretout – Sarr, Harit, Ndiaye – Vitinha.
