De Zerbi claims one African star is 'crucial for Marseille'
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 21.11.25. | 16:10
Former Atletico Madrid midfielder is back after an injury
The international break is over, and for all clubs participating in the European football competitions, a very extensive seven-day period is ahead of them, with domestic competition rounds, with the Champions League games squeezed in between and Marseille is not an exception. Roberto De Zerbi’s men are still in the title race and are trailing PSG by only two points. The difference could have been reversed only if Olympique ‘punished’ PSG’s series of bad results. Instead, they failed to win in important matches themselves and are still behind. They face a strong Nice team, which lost only once at their home ground, and Marseille will be without organized support as Nice authorities banded the away fans from attending the stadium.
Still, Roberto De Zerbi is optimistic, and one of the reasons for that is a return of Geoffrey Kondogbia. Former France midfielder, who switched alliances and plays from Central African Republic since 2018 can play in various positions and is coming back after an injury. It’s clear that his presence is very important for De Zerbi.
"He is very important for OM. Even if he is not always available, he is crucial whether he plays or not. He needs intelligent and careful management. He would like to play all the time but he has to pace himself. In the coming months, he needs special attention. While we have Kondogbia from Madrid, we have had difficulty finding a player of his level" said the Italian, who will be without Moroccan Nayef Aguerd, Amir Murillo and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
As for the actual game which is on display tonight, the authorities of Nice already abandoned any away support from Olympique.
"Anyone claiming to be a supporter of Olympique de Marseille or behaving as such is prohibited from entering the stadium" the authorities stated in a press release. Parking is also blocked for potential Marseille supporters around the stadium and in downtown Nice until midnight. So, the club decided to organize a meeting with supporters in Marseille. According to RMC Sport, among them were leaders of supporters' groups, active members, some fans with disabilities, and even children wearing scarves. It was an opportunity to greet the club's management (Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia were present), coach Roberto De Zerbi, and the players on one of the pitches at the Commanderie training ground. The supporters watched part of the training session and then had a meeting and discussion lasting about thirty minutes, which ended with the players giving gifts: OM jerseys or jackets, for example, and of course, the traditional souvenir photos, all in a relaxed atmosphere.
FRANCE LIGUE 1 ROUND 13
Friday
22.45: (4.00) Nice (3.60) Olympique Marseille (2.00)
Saturday
19.00: (2.10) Lens (3.65) Strasbourg (3.55)
21.00: (2.75) Rennes (3.75) Monaco (2.50)
23.05: (1.18) PSG (8.50) Le Havre (16.0)
Sunday
17.00: (3.80) Auxerre (3.45) Olympique Lyon (2.00)
19.15: (1.85) Brest (3.75) Metz (4.50)
19.15: (2.65) Nantes (3.15) Lorient (2.80)
19.15: (1.67) Toulouse (3.60) Angers (5.70)
22.45: (1.65) Lille (4.10) Paris (5.00)
* odds are subject to change
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