Marseille’s climb gathered pace in Troyes under the Sunday-night lights, with two academy players handed a prominent role in a 2-0 Ligue 1 victory. Nouhoum Kamissoko started in midfield and Kelyann Bezahaf was selected at right-back as Bruno Genesio turned to youth for the final fixture of matchday six.
The move
Kamissoko and Bezahaf were among Marseille’s most composed players before the interval, according to Genesio, who praised the freedom shown by both youngsters on their first-team opportunity.
“Kami and Bezahaf were perhaps the two players who looked the most liberated in the first half,” the Marseille coach said. “That is probably the fearlessness that comes with being young.”
Genesio singled out Kamissoko for his work without the ball as well as his decisions in possession. The midfielder, he said, brought balance to the defensive structure, found sensible positions and showed accuracy in his technical choices.
Bezahaf’s inclusion at full-back formed part of a reshuffled Marseille side, but neither young player appeared overawed as OM secured the away win.
The French season around it
Marseille had arrived in Troyes with selection problems across the squad. Timothy Weah was unavailable through suspension, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Derek Cornelius were injured.
Geoffrey Kondogbia was not fit enough to begin the game, although he was able to appear from the bench. Amine Harit, back after an injury suffered while away on international duty, gave Marseille the lead.
- Nouhoum Kamissoko — started in midfield
- Kelyann Bezahaf — started at right-back
- Amine Harit — opened the scoring after returning from injury
- Geoffrey Kondogbia — substitute after failing to recover in time to start
- Timothy Weah — suspended
- Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg — injured
- Derek Cornelius — injured
The 2-0 result gave Marseille a timely lift in the league table, while Kamissoko and Bezahaf offered Genesio an encouraging answer to an injury-hit evening.
