Olympique de Marseille sank on Sunday in Brest, at the end of the 22nd day, the continuation of a series of bad results which will never end in 2024.
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A sluggish victory against Thionville, a fifth division team, in the Coupe de France and then nothing more. At the Olympique de Marseille, the indigestion of the new year continues. Sunday February 18, OM went a seventh match without a victory in all competitions by losing in Brest (1-0). Nothing illogical in the ranking against the surprising runner-up of PSG. But in style, while they were playing in numerical superiority, as for their end-of-season objectives, this setback is a slap in the face.
Marseille showed a very pale face in Finistère, unable to frame the slightest shot during 86 minutes of play, including half an hour spent at 11 against 10. This theoretical advantage did not prevent them from being punished at the very end game by a goal from Pierre Lees-Melou, following a ball lost by the visitors in their half.
“I think there is very little to say this evening, we just have to assume our responsibilities, ask forgiveness from the supporters, ask forgiveness from this jersey because, tonight, what we produced is unacceptable” lamented OM coach Gennaro Gattuso at a press conference.
Once again in 2024, OM showed itself incapable of maintaining a result, after being joined in particular by Metz (1-1) then Donetsk (2-2) in the Europa League, a few days earlier. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s teammates confirm their crisis of confidence, between offensive apathy and excitement in front of their goal. Marseille have conceded at least one goal, with the exception of the Coupe de France match against amateurs Thionville, in each of their eleven matches since December 10.
“I think we’ve hit rock bottom this evening. We’re in a whirlwind, a vicious circle and I think we have to focus today on taking as many points as possible to regain a little bit of serenity. .”
Gennaro Gattuso, coach of Olympique de Marseilleat a press conference
The transalpine coach, who arrived at Canebière on September 27 in the midst of a crisis between OM supporters and the club’s leaders, did not manage to bring back the consistency which would bring calm. Dejected, the former midfielder considered himself to be the “primarily responsible” of this new shipwreck, while seeming to run out of spring to make his players bounce back.
“In football, you need a soul and that is precisely what we are currently lacking. Without a soul, everything is more difficult. We’re not a real team, that’s what I regret. And at 11 against 10, we were not able to worry our opponent. We are too fragile and unfortunately, at this level, we pay dearly.“
Olympique de Marseille are now in ninth place in Ligue 1, nine points off the podium with twelve matches remaining. The reaction must be imperative, especially as the second leg of the Europa League against Shakhtar Donetsk arrives next Thursday. Elimination would darken the horizon a little more in Bouches-du-Rhône.
Moreover, the storm warning is already very close behind the scenes, while the club’s new sports director, Mehdi Benatia, loaded defender Jonathan Clauss into Canal Football Club, then onto Amazon Prime Video on Sunday. The former Lens player was criticized for his investment, pushing OM to consider his departure during the winter transfer window. “I know that he was received several times in the coach’s office to explain to him what was expected of him in the attitude, as a leader, as a French internationalexpressed Benatia at Canal +. We thought the message had gotten through. Unfortunately it was not.“
Fragile on the pitch, tense off it, Olympique de Marseille has no time to lose to get its head back on track.