AS Monaco – Olympique Marseille: In free fall under De Zerbi (3-0)

Olympique Marseille was unable to turn around its negative image and fell in a decisive clash. The Monegasques showed all their firepower without needing their most fluid version in terms of ball movement.

Tactical analysis and match report by Juan Lauz.

Decisive moment in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification in Ligue 1. Addi Hütter’s AS Monaco hosted Roberto De Zerbi’s Olympique Marseille, aiming to snatch second place in the standings from the latter, just behind a Paris Saint-Germain side that had already secured the title, and make a strong push to qualify directly for Europe’s top competition.

The Monegasques lined up with their usual starting eleven with their 4-2-2-2 formation: Philipp Köhn between the sticks; Thilo Kehrer and Wilfried Singo as the center-backs; Brazilian fullbacks Caio Henrique on the left and Vanderson on the right. The double pivot was made up of Lamine Camara and captain Denis Zakaria, with Takumi Minamino and Maghnes Akliouche as attacking midfielders. Up front, the strike partnership consisted of Breel Embolo and Mika Biereth.

Marseille, on the other hand, came into their visit to the Principality having lost four of their last six league matches, a run that seriously jeopardized their position. They maintained their usual 3-4-2-1 setup, although with an improvised backline: Michael Murillo, the only natural center-back, played on the right side of the three (RCB), joined by midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia as central CB and left back Ulisses Garcia as LCB. Captain Pierre-Emile H . . .