Slowing down in 2024, Olympique de Marseille hopes to restart a positive dynamic with the Europa League play-offs against Shakhtar Dontesk. The scent of European jousting fills the air of Hamburg where Olympique de Marseille returns to the exaltation of this unique period. Already six years that the club has been pining for this atmosphere, these feverish evenings where destiny can swing one way or the other. Six years since this epic which took him to the final (0-3 against Atlético de Madrid, editor's note ). Six long years away from peaks. Also, OM is approaching this European meeting with the desire to reconnect with this past. not so distant. A task which promises to be delicate as the Marseille club appears to be perfectible. Last Friday it was é unable to beat Metz (1-1), confirming its difficulties in 2024. Indeed, since the start of the calendar year, it has only counted #39 ;one victory in six matches (against Thionville-Lusitanos 1-0). Nothing to brag about for a club that has gotten bogged down. in the soft underbelly of Ligue 1 and a source of hassle for Gattuso in search of spring. Although he knows everything about European springs, the Italian technician is still fumbling while injuries do not make his work any easier. Certainly still private by Chancel Mbemba, à barely returned from the CAN where ù he reached the semi-finals with the Democratic Republic of Congo, he will have to deal with a midfielder who is still upset. In addition to Rongier (knee), Jordan Veretout is also unavailable due to muscle pain, while Onana is not included on the list of available players. Fortunately for him, Harit and Ounahi have regained their place in the midfield and should be particularly motivated after the disillusionment experienced by the team. cue à the CAN with Morocco (elimination in the round of 16 against South Africa, editor's note). The two Moroccans should be accompanied by Kondogbia, who had recovered from his discomfort. thigh. Good news for Gattuso who will thus be able to rely on an environment of experience, familiar with European meetings. An asset for OM especially as the context of this first roadblock proves to be particularly special in the face of the opposition. a Shakhtar Donetsk whose state of form he is unaware of. As is often the case, the return of the European Cups coincides with the end of the hibernation of teams from the east of the continent. The Donbass club no longer played since December 8. Two months of eclipse during which Gregoriy Sudakov and his partners were able to prepare far from the conflict which forced them to take action. forced exile. And it was in the North of Germany that they found refuge and will receive the Marseillais. "In Hamburg, we are well supported, there are people in the stadium, we feel the people behind us. It's not our house, it's not our home but we try to act as if", explains the Ukrainian nugget & agrave; L'Equipe. At the age of 21, he constitutes one of the main threats for OM within a squad which has performed well in Champions League, missing qualification for the round of 16 à the last day on the pitch of FC Porto (3-5). Failing to know where he and his partners are there and although they will miss the rhythm, Sudakov shows a certain confidence. "We're already going to try to eliminate Marseille. We are capable of it for lots of reasons (…) We have lots of arguments", he assures the French sports dailyçais. Arguments such as a perfect knowledge of the dams from which he extricated himself; during his last three appearances. Rennes remembers it well, trapped by the Ukrainians last season. Marseille is perfumed. The Europa League play-off first leg between Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille will take place at from 6:45 p.m., on the side from the Volksparkstadion, à Hamburg. The Europa League play-off first leg between Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille will be broadcast live on RMC Sport 1. The meeting between Dmytro Riznik's Shakhtar Donetsk and Geoffrey Kondogbia's Olympique de Marseille will be available in streaming on the RMC-BFM Play platform. Betclic: Shakhtar Donetsk: 3.20/Draw: 3.47/Olympique de Marseille: 2.15< /p> Parions Sport: Shakhtar Donetsk: 3.10/Draw: 3.45/Olympique de Marseille: 2.25 Winamax: Shakhtar Donetsk: 3.15/Draw: 3.50/Olympique de Marseille: 2.20< /p> Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk – Konoplia, Bondar, Matvienko (cap.), Azarovi – Bondarenko, Kriskiv, Soudakov – Zoubkov, Sikane, Kevin Mancedo. Olympique de Marseille: Pau Lopez – Clauss, Gigot (cap.), Balerdi, Lodi – Kondogbia, Ounahi, Harit – Luis Henrique, Moumbagna, Aubameyang.
An environment and questions
Shakhtar as à home
By Teilor Stone
Teilor Stone has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining Thesaxon , Teilor Stone worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my teilor@nizhtimes.com 1-800-268-7116