Marseille’s Europa League campaign began with a hard landing in Istanbul, but the route is still open. The 4-1 defeat at Besiktas leaves OM with seven league-phase fixtures to climb into the top 24 and secure, at the very least, a play-off place in February.
The move
Roberto De Zerbi’s side must now turn an early European setback into a qualifying run. A finish among the first eight would send Marseille directly into the round of 16, while positions nine to 24 would lead to a two-legged play-off.
There is little room for assuming points will arrive easily. Marseille’s final two fixtures pair a home match against Anderlecht, three-time European trophy winners, with a trip to Celtic, champions of Europe in 1967.
Anderlecht lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1976 and 1978 before winning the UEFA Cup in 1983. Those achievements belong to another era, but OM’s opening defeat has ensured that every remaining game carries weight.
The toughest assignment on the calendar is the November 5 visit to Bayer Leverkusen, Germany’s 2024 champions. It will also bring a reunion with former Marseille defender Facundo Medina.
- Facundo Medina
- Martin Terrier
- Moussa Diaby
- Loïc Badé
- Eliesse Ben Seghir, the Morocco international
- Guéla Doué, who represents Ivory Coast
Leverkusen’s squad includes the French contingent of Terrier, Diaby and Badé, alongside Ben Seghir and Doué, making the trip one of the defining tests of Marseille’s league phase.
The French season around it
The Vélodrome will be central to OM’s recovery. Levski Sofia visit on November 26 in what appears, on paper, to be Marseille’s most manageable home fixture. Olympiakos arrive on October 15, while Anderlecht are due in Marseille on January 28.
Last season’s Europa League table offered a clear indication of the margins involved. Young Boys finished 25th, one place below the play-off line, on nine points from eight games. Roma claimed eighth position and automatic progression with 16 points.
Marseille have seven opportunities left to find a total that can keep their European winter alive, beginning with the need to respond after Besiktas.
