Preview: Marseille-Monaco
Looking for consistency
Marseille this season under Roberto de Zerbi have been a fearsome attacking force -- only leaders PSG have scored more goals in the campaign, powered by summer signing Mason Greenwood and a gung-ho approach in possession. This same approach, though, has often seen them be suspect at the back, as evidenced by recent heavy defeats to Auxerre and PSG.
To add more balance to his side, De Zerbi has shifted from the 4-2-3-1 he deployed earlier in the season to a 4-3-3, with veterans Pierre-Emile Højberg, Adrien Rabiot and Valentin Rongier all slated to start. Amine Harit, who has often played as a number ten this season, is likely to be dropped, with the manager underscoring the danger the visitors pose and also the need to look at themselves before the opponent, saying "It's going to be a tough game. Monaco is one of the best teams in Ligue 1, but we must think about what we can do. We need to think about what can be improved from our side." If improvement can be shown as it was last weekend against RC Lens (a 3-1 win), the hosts could very well vault over the Principality side and into second.
Ready for tomorrow's showdown ⚔️#OMASM | ⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/G9Ce7Z1eQh
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) November 30, 2024
A chance to bounce back
As for Adi Hütter's Monaco side, who sit second in the league, they'll look to bounce back from a frustrating defeat in the Champions League in the week, having been beaten 3-2 at home by Benfica. Hütter is likely to rotate his side, as is his wont, and could bring in some of the team's young talent, namely fit-again Folarin Balogun and Christian Mawissa -- both would replace older, but out of form players in Breel Embolo and Caio Henrique.
Hütter was quick to remark that, even though OGC Nice is the Monégasques' natural rival, a trip to the Stade Vélodrôme is special. "When we talk about away games, I think that the one in Marseille is always the most special, because of this incredible atmosphere. It is a very big game for us." If his side can harness the energy that will no doubt come from the occasion, this match has every chance of being a fine advertisement for the league.
Predicted lineups:
Olympique de Marseille (4-3-3): Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Kondogbia, Merlin (or Brassier); Rongier, Højberg, Rabiot; Greenwood, Maupay, Henrqiue (or Rowe)
AS Monaco (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Singo (or Kehrer), Salisu, Henrique (or Mawissa); Magassa, Zakaria; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir, Balogun (or Embolo)
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