OM – Shakhtar: Marseille in great danger in a boiling Vélodrome

A week after an avoidable draw, Olympique de Marseille is counting on the Gasset effect to revive a sick team against Shakhtar Donetsk and qualify for the round of 16 of the Europa League.

Olympique de Marseille would certainly have preferred get through a more peaceful week and calmly prepare for your Europa League return play-off but between wishes and reality, there is often a difference notable.

A Gasset effect ?

Sunday evening's defeat at Brest has decided to do so. otherwise and rushed the eviction of Gennaro Gattuso. Arrival &agrav; last fall, the Italian technician showed himself incapable of relaunching a lead Marseille group&eac; by his inconsistencies and a brittle mind. Based on this observation, the Marseille leaders took action. failed and therefore decided to replace him and appoint Jean-Louis Gasset à the head of the team. This is already a question of of the fourth coach who sits on the Marseille bench this season, symbol of the instability of the club and a crisis that is getting bogged down.

The former coach of the Ivory Coast, summoned to to leave his post last January à At the end of the CAN group stage, he only had two training sessions to take charge of his squad. Too little to hope to print a new style on the market. his team. Also, this coach experiences The 70-year-old decided to to emphasize the psychological aspect. "There needs to be awareness", he invoked. face &agrav; the press. A speech heard and taken up by Marseille captain Samuel Gigot. "IYou have to have a mental click and say to yourself that now it's over, there is nothing more happening", assumes the defender, aware that the responsibility is above all that of the players.

On the way out, last week, the mental gaps of the Marseillais had jumped again; to the eyes. Twice in front, they had à every summer resumed a few minutes after each of their two goals due to errors of concentration and discipline. Gasset understood this problem well and listened to the problem. to respond as best as possible. To give confidence à his men, he should listen to them and return to the 3-5-2 which better suits the qualities of the squad. "We must remain united and seek qualification", continues Samuel Gigot. In this context, Gasset could count on the return à the Veretout competition. Enough to give a little stability between. On the other hand, Pau Lopez should miss the match because he is experiencing pain in his calf.

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Shakhtar in trouble

For its part, Shakhtar Donetsk intends to play spoilsport at the Vélodrome and if possible take advantage of the opposing procrastination. Last week's match was their first after a two-month break and the Ukrainians should show more rhythm. Already very lively and author of the equalizer in injury time. Hamburg, Eguinaldo will constitute a significant threat with his ability to &agrav; Accelerate and build speed. Likewise, the Marseillais will have to be wary of Zubkov, who is dangerous at the same time. going but clumsy in the finish. So many assets for Shakhtar, who know the play-off formula well. Last season, the Ukrainians managed to win. win their qualification on penalties à Rennes.

A good memory like the one from éevoking Marino Pusic à his men. The Croatian coach was on the Feyenoord staff when the Dutch qualified at the Vélodrome in May 2022 for the Europa Conference League final. "I'm ready à relive the experience", he agreed with a smile. It is up to the Marseillais to re-mobilize and show responsibility to avoid a contrary scenario and continue their European adventure, without experiencing a delicate end to the season.

The Europa League return play-off between Olympique de Marseille and Shakhtar Donetsk will take place at from 9 p.m., on the side from the V&eac;odrome stadium, & Marseille.

The Europa League play-off first leg between Olympique de Marseille and Shakhtar Donetsk will be broadcast live, on W9 in the clear, and on Canal+Foot.

The meeting between Jean-Louis Gasset's Olympique de Marseille and Marino Pusic's Shakhtar Donetsk will be available in streaming on the 6 Play and CanalPlay platforms.

Betclic: Olympique de Marseille: 1.70/Draw: 3.82/Shakhtar Donetsk: 4.77< /p>

Parions Sport: Olympique de Marseille: 1.70/Draw: 3.90/Shakhtar Donetsk: 4.90

Winamax: Olympique de Marseille: 1.70/Draw: 3.85/Shakhtar Donetsk: 4.80< /p>

Olympique de Marseille: Blanco – Clauss, Meité, Gigot (cap.), Mbemba, Merlin – Kondogbia, Harit, Veretout – Ndiaye, Aubameyang.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk – Konoplya, Bondar, Matviienko, Azarov – Stepanenko (cap.), Sudakov, Bondarenko – Zubkov, Sikan, Eguinaldo.