Thursday’s defeat in Austria left Marseille searching for answers once more, with Bruno Genesio’s selection choices underlining a difficult balancing act between Europe and Ligue 1.
The Ligue 1 news
Marseille have now lost three straight Europa League matches this season, but Genesio has made clear through his team selections that domestic form is taking precedence. With no summer arrivals, a limited squad, several players short of confidence and younger members still developing, the coach is trying to keep as many players involved as possible without abandoning competitiveness.
Genesio defended his approach after the latest European setback. “You cannot get through a whole season using only 13 or 14 players,” he said. “People can look back and say the line-up was wrong, but I do not regret my choices.”
His patience is nevertheless being tested by a number of experienced players. Angel Gomes has produced little beyond a strong performance against Strasbourg and a fine goal against PSG, while his recent displays have raised questions over both his intensity and consistency. Neal Maupay has also struggled for end product, though his work rate has remained evident.
Genesio was particularly unhappy with Marseille’s first-half response in Austria. “I am disappointed by the attitude we showed — or did not show — before the break,” he said. “We lost every duel, were overpowered in all the key areas and did not answer that challenge. In European football, you must be ready to impose yourself.”
Nayef Aguerd, Ulisses Garcia, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Amine Gouiri were among the senior players who failed to reach the level expected of them. Igor Paixao and Himad Abdelli came on later but could not alter the course of the match.
Genesio has avoided publicly naming individuals, preferring to protect a squad he wants to keep united. Goalkeeper Jeffrey De Lange echoed that stance after the defeat, saying: “We are one team. Players may change, but everybody is involved, and I think that is positive.”
There were, however, visible signs of frustration among Marseille players and staff as misplaced passes and technical errors accumulated. Genesio’s management remains geared towards giving opportunities across the group, including to younger players, but his tolerance is not unlimited.
He had already been dissatisfied with the impact made by attacking substitutes Amine Harit, Gouiri and Faris Moumbagna against Olympiacos. The coach discussed the matter internally and has temporarily left Cameroon forward Moumbagna out of the group. Moumbagna was absent from the last two matchday squads, played for the reserve side last weekend and did not travel to Austria.
The intention is not to punish the striker, but to help him recover the physical level required. Still, the decision sends a warning that other underperformers could soon face similar consequences.
Le Havre and Toulouse offer a Ligue 1 reset
Marseille return to Ligue 1 with matches against Le Havre and Toulouse, and the next two fixtures could give Genesio the chance to establish a more settled first-choice side.
OM arrive on the back of two consecutive league wins and have an opportunity to climb the table. With the domestic race now carrying greater weight, the coming matches may leave less room for rotation and experimentation.
