Marseille’s lights were still burning after another defeat, but Bruno Genesio had no appetite for consolation. His side pushed Paris Saint-Germain hard on Sunday, drew level through Angel Gomes, then conceded again within three minutes to lose 2-1 — a fifth successive defeat across Ligue 1 and the Europa League.
Genesio praised the commitment and organisation of his players in Le Classique, while making clear that a respectable performance against a side he described as Europe’s best could not soften the result. Marseille have now lost four consecutive league matches, and the coach said the recurring nature of the setbacks had become impossible to ignore.
“I am tired of saying the same things,” Genesio said. “An honourable defeat is not enough for me. We keep losing because of the same mistakes, and that is frustrating.”
He insisted he was neither angry nor irritated with his squad, arguing that they had given everything against PSG. Marseille followed their tactical plan closely in defence and used the ball well enough at times to force the visitors out of their comfort zone. Yet Genesio identified a familiar failure of focus after Gomes made it 1-1 in the 72nd minute.
“There were a lot of emotions after the equaliser, and then we conceded from a second ball,” he said, referring to Marquinhos’ 75th-minute winner. “There is a lack of concentration and maturity. Apart from that, I have nothing to blame the players for.”
Talks planned during the break
Genesio will hold discussions with Marseille’s board, his staff and the players during the international break, although he ruled out resignation. He said conversations with the club hierarchy were already a daily occurrence and that the pause would offer both rest and work, even with several members of the squad leaving for international duty.
“There is no idea of resigning,” he said. “What matters to me now is helping this team improve.”
The coach also warned against allowing a difficult recent fixture list to become an excuse. Marseille travelled to Besiktas in the Europa League before facing PSG, losing 4-1 in Turkey, while Paris had no European match in the same period. Genesio accepted that the schedule had not been kind, but stressed that every Ligue 1 match carries its own danger.
He cautioned specifically against assuming upcoming games against Troyes and Angers will be easier simply because Marseille have faced stronger opponents in recent weeks. Points taken against leading sides can build confidence, he said, but the current run cannot be dismissed as bad luck alone.
“People say we have played big teams and have not had much luck,” Genesio said. “But we know every Ligue 1 game is difficult. In the recent matches, we have not been rewarded — but we have not done enough to deserve more either.”
