Olympique de Marseille – OGC Nice: Wahi’s Vélodrome Return Wounds Marseille’s Champions League Chase (1-1)

The revolving doors at Olympique de Marseille have stung more than a few players as they’ve swung shut on the way out. Elye Wahi lasted only six months in La Provence before he was deemed a failure and carted off to Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker struggled in Germany, but has found a new lease of life with OGC Nice. And on return to the Stade Vélodrome, he inflicted a significant wound on his former team’s Champions League hopes. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland.

Olympique de Marseille’s defeat to FC Lorient last weekend has left the club on the outskirts of the Champions League race, as they slid from fourth to sixth. Sporting director Mehdi Benatia had referred to the performance as scandalous, and in true Marseille fashion, the club have put out a measured response… with the squad forced to sleep at the training ground ahead of their southern derby. 

A season that began with OGC Nice dreaming of returning to the Champions League has descended into a relegation battle. After a four year-break from the sidelines, Claude Puel returned to management with his old club to try and steady the ship. In the league, results have been largely unimpressive, but in the Coupe de France, Le Gym are in with a shot of glory, having secured a spot in the final. 

Habib Beye went with an experimental 5-4-1 diamond shape. Gerónimo Rulli was in goal behind a backline consisting of Emerson . . .