Olympique de Marseille – RC Lens: Diamonds Are Forever (3-1)

RC Lens travelled to Olympique de Marseille in a big clash at the top of the table. A victory for the visitors would have been their 11th in a row across all competitions and seen them leapfrog Paris Saint-Germain to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1. However, Ligue 1’s best defense would come unstuck against the best attack, as Roberto De Zerbi deployed his new signings to devastating effect. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland.

A title challenge has likely slipped past Olympique de Marseille this season, but they would still hope to keep close to Paris Saint-Germain, who moved ten points clear of them on Friday evening. A defeat to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League meant that some focus would have to be on Wednesday’s visit to Club Brugge, with Mason Greenwood’s absence from the teamsheet the clearest sign that one eye was on Europe. 

RC Lens have been Ligue 1’s surprise package this season and would need a win to climb back to the top of the table. They entered this match on an incredible run of form, having won their last ten games across all competitions. However, a thin squad has perhaps shown signs of slowing down, with last weekend’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened AJ Auxerre raising some concerns. 

Roberto De Zerbi set his side up in a 3-4-3 formation. Gerónimo Rulli started in goal behind a back three consisting of Facundo Medina, Nayef Aguerd, and Leonardo Balerdi. New signing Quinten Timber . . .