After a sparkling debut, Olympique de Marseille stalled. Always well positioned in Ligue 1, the Phocaeans must move up a gear to stay in tune with their goals.
Symbolic. The exceptional return of Dimitri Payet to annihilate yet another Metz situation illustrates perfectly the current ills of Olympique de Marseille. A team which essentially depends on its master to play, and which no longer really understands its subject. In difficulty in the game for several weeks, the Olympians arrive at a pivotal moment in their season before the trip to Lyon on Sunday.
Revealing statistics
Fourth in Ligue 1, Olympique de Marseille is no longer advancing. Over the last 11 matches, Jorge Sampaoli’s proteges have won only 2 victories. A serious stop that deprives the Phocaeans of the podium. Results at half mast which are closely linked to the offensive breakdown of the Marseillais. In the last six meetings, OM have only scored four goals. The statistical tool expected goals (shows the percentage of chance of scoring a goal on a strike) illustrates some of the current ills of the Phoceans. Eighth in the standings Xpoints (differential between expected goals, and expected goals against which represents the number of points won according to this barometer), OM seem to outperform in the league. Insufficient to give itself the means of its ambitions.
Arkadiusz Milik perfectly reflects these current difficulties in the offensive sector. So many problems to be resolved in the game. Author of two goals in nine matches, the Polish striker crystallizes the gaps in the offensive sector of the Marseillais.
Contested decisions of Jorge Sampaoli
Naturally, the tactical choices of Jorge Sampaoli cause a lot of ink to flow among the observers of the Marseille club. “When I see Lirola not playing at the full-back position where he makes the differences, it hurts my heart. You have to bring out a typical team now.»Lamented Eric Di Meco on RMC.
In a desire to perpetually change the post players, with hybrid roles like Valentin Rongier. The animation of OM is failing, and although the team is the second defense in Ligue 1, the Marseillais concede many situations per game as evidenced by the game against Metz.
In permanent imbalance, without creating a plethora of opportunities, the Marseillais suffer on many transitions. “There are imbalances everywhere. You play at home against the 19th and you concede as many chances, some of which are aberrations, with passes in the interval between the stopper and the left or right piston. Me as a midfielder, I couldn’t play in a team like that, there are too many imbalances»Explained Edouard Cissé on Prime Video. Praised at the start of the season for his offensive and spectacular play, the former Sevilla technician suffered some criticism for having been somewhat cautious during certain games. The lack of offensive initiatives against PSG in numerical superiority and the desire to align Pol Lirola in a more advanced role, accentuated this feeling.
Somewhat called into question, Jorge Sampaoli is not the only one responsible for the worse pass of Marseille, and keeps the confidence of his group, evidenced by the words of Valentin Rongier on RMC. «Believe me, Sampaoli, it’s not just the madness you see on the sidelines, it’s also very thoughtful behind. All the sessions during the week have a meaning, we are told why we are going to do this, how, and how it will serve us in a match. Everyone really likes his philosophy.»
A lack of freshness and regularity
Engaged in the European Cup, Olympique de Marseille has already played more than 17 matches. Third in his group in the Europa League, Jorge Sampaoli can not afford the luxury of running. Despite a significant summer transfer window, OM has bet on young prospects, who can not guarantee foolproof consistency. With the sequence of matches, this youth can alternate good and bad performances. Like Konrad de la Fuente or Amine Harit, these recruits are not finished products, and patience is required to see them settle permanently in the starting XI. Data that can slow down the establishment of an eleven type for Jorge Sampaoli. Only Dimitri Payet, Under, Guendouzi, Saliba or even Pau Lopez seem to benefit from an indisputable starting status.
This lack of managerial rotation, coupled with sustained training sessions can contribute to this lack of freshness visible within the Olympian workforce. In this line, Olympique de Marseille took part in many shocks at the start of the season. In Ligue 1, Jorge Sampaoli’s men have already faced the entire top 6, namely PSG, Lens, Nice, Rennes and Montpellier. After the trip to Lyon, Olympique de Marseille will benefit from a more affordable schedule. The right moment for Jorge Sampaoli and his men to start a new dynamic in order to achieve their goals.
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