Olympique de Marseille return to action today following their humiliating defeat last Sunday away to Paris Saint-Germain. The 5-0 loss spelled the end for Roberto De Zerbi’s time in charge of the club, and with no head coach immediately lined up as successor, Jacques Abardonado will once again take over in the interim.
Abardonado is expected to put out a much-altered side for RC Strasbourg Alsace’s visit this afternoon. Ethan Nwaneri, who joined to learn under De Zerbi, will likely drop to the bench with Mason Greenwood taking back his place on the right of the attack.
One of De Zerbi’s last acts was to drop Gerónimo Rulli and replace him with back-up goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange. It was a decision that backfired, with De Lange unable to prevent PSG’s rout, while his kicking proved to be a notable weakness. Abardonado is expected to reverse this decision.
L’Équipe writes that Leonardo Balerdi, much criticised for his performance in the capital, will be left out of the squad due to illness.
Marseille likely line-up v Strasbourg
Gerónimo Rulli; Emerson Palmieri, Facundo Medina, Nayef Aguerd, Timothy Weah; Quinten Timber, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg; Igor Paixão, Amine Gouiri, Mason Greenwood; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (L’Éq)