This Sunday at 8:45 p.m., the Mastiffs begin a series of three matches in one week in Ligue 1 Uber Eats against Olympique de Marseille. Focus on the Marseille team which has 8 points more than LOSC after 19 Ligue 1 days.
Only one defeat in 10 league days
During a month of October marked by two consecutive losses against Lens then in Lille, OM went through a delicate period by being subsequently eliminated from the Europa League, despite a great start to the season. If Marseille lacked efficiency in the European Cup to do better than a third qualifying place for the Europa League Conference, the Phocaeans have gleaned several valuable successes in the league. Of the ten games that followed the 2-0 loss at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, Marseille won 6 games, 4 of which were 1-0, and only lost once against Stade Brestois 2 -1 at home, on December 4th. Since then, OM have been undefeated and have also qualified for the knockout stages of the Coupe de France. A positive balance which places the Marseillais on the podium in 3rd place in the championship with 8 points more than Lille. This season, the formation of Jorge Sampaoli is carried by a great Dimitri Payet at the creation of the game, which has returned to its best level for several months, although it has struggled to continue with the European Cup.
The Marseillais, clear dominators against the Girondins
Last weekend, OM traveled to Matmut Atlantique to face a limited Bordeaux team due to COVID-19. Without striker Arkadiusz Milik, Dimitri Payet was positioned as a false number 9 in a pattern resembling a 3-1-3-3 with Luis Henrique as left winger and Cenigz Under as right winger. In the middle, Amine Harit made his first start in the league for more than a month, alongside Mattéo Guendouzi and Paul Lirola, who descended to the position of right-back in the defensive phase in the system of Jorge Sampaoli. In this meeting, Marseille outrageously dominated their evening opponent by depriving them of the ball during the first period. Facing a Bordeaux wall that was difficult to cross, the Marseille opener in the 37th minute was signed by Cengiz Under following a good individual sequence. In the second half, the chances are Marseille although the Bordelais have started a slight revolt by playing higher. By winning the match 1-0, the Olympians were generally little worried and regained victory in the league after a last bad result (draw 1-1), against Reims before the break.
A practically complete team
The Marseille group: Lopez, Mandanda, Vanni – Lirola, Saliba, Peres, Alvaro, Caleta Car, Balerdi – Rongier, Guendouzi, Kamara, Bertelli, Targhalline, Gerson – Luis Henrique, Payet, Harit, Under, Milik, Ben Seghir
Affected by COVID-19 last week, central defenders William Saliba and Luan Peres, two important players in the Olympian team, are now negative and will be able to play the match against LOSC. Among the absentees, OM will not be able to count on their left winger Konrad De La Fuente, in addition to Bamba Dieng (striker) and Pape Gueye (defensive midfielder) who are at CAN 2021. Finally, the very recent Olympian recruit, Cédric Bakambu, will not be able to take part in the evening meeting because his contract is not yet approved.
The decisive return of Cengiz Under
Cengiz UNDER – Photo by Pierre Costabadie/Icon Sport
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In Jorge Sampaoli’s particular system, OM play with three forwards, including two real wingers. Very fit since his arrival this summer in Marseille, Cengiz Under has caused problems for many teams this season by being placed very high on his right side. Injured for a month in November, the Turkish striker returned to the pitch at the end of 2021 and made a big start to 2022 by scoring during OM’s first two games after the break, in the Coupe de France then in Ligue 1 The Marseille winger shows great qualities by his ability to be forgotten on his right side and to eliminate by returning on his left foot. Cengiz Under also distinguished itself by being effective in front of goal with 7 goals scored in all competitions, including 5 scored in Ligue 1 in 15 games. This season, he is OM’s second best scorer in the league behind Dimitri Payet (7 goals scored).
For their second opposition of the year 2022, LOSC has a new important meeting to negotiate against Olympique de Marseille. The Mastiffs are expected at the turn against an opponent who can increase their lead to 11 points if they win this evening.
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