How will Marseille's defence cope without Leonardo Balerdi?

Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi's defensive problems got bigger last weekend following Leonardo Balerdi's injury at Reims last weekend. The Phocéen captain had to be hauled off at Stade Auguste Delaune on the 34th minute following a sprain to a ligament in his left knee. After medical tests on Monday, Marseille believe that they will be without Balerdi for several weeks, with just seven matches remaining in the Ligue 1 McDonald's season.

It got worse for Marseille, after fellow centre-back Luiz Felipe will also be out of action several weeks following a hamstring injury. This leaves only Derek Cornelius as the only natural first-team centre back along with Geoffrey Kondogbia (who has made a somewhat permanent makeshift role in the back three lately).

"We often lose when he's not there," said Roberto De Zerbi after the defeat to Reims last weekend. "I hope he gets back on his feet quickly because, along with Derek Cornelius, he is the only centre-back we have since Luiz Felipe is also injured."

OM's record without their Captain

Since the start of the season, the defender has played in 23 of Olympique de Marseille's 27 matches in Ligue 1 McDonald's, with a record of 13 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses, a win rate of 56.5%. In his absence, the gap is not as obvious as Roberto De Zerbi suggested. Deprived of Leonardo Balerdi on four occasions this season, the club from Marseille did not systematically lose, posting two wins and two defeats. The success rate therefore drops slightly, from 56.5% to 50%.

However, over the last three seasons since Balerdi established himself as a regular in defence, the figures have not always been in his favour. In 2023-2024, OM had a win rate of 37% with him compared to 42.9% without him. In 2022-2023, the team won 55.1% of its matches with him, compared to 66.7% without him.

Højbjerg, Merlin, Rongier.. Mbemba? Who will come in to replace Balerdi

It leaves a difficult situation at the back for Marseille, who will be looking to turn around a run of three straight defeats against Toulouse on Sunday (20:45 CET). De Zerbi has tried out various options in defence throughout the season already. Against  Reims, the Italian coach made a significant choice in lining up with Pol Lirola, Derek Cornelius, and Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Panamanian defender Amir Murillo could come back into the role, but he is currently making his return from injury suffered against Lens several weeks ago. At the start of March, Valentin Rongier dropped into the backline during the defeat to the Sang & Or.

Elsewhere, Chancel Mbemba is still technically a Marseille player - but he has been training separately from the squad for most of the season after being placed in the 'loft' by Roberto De Zerbi and OM's management. The Democratic Republic of the Congo international, who even recently featured during the latest international break, is not considered as an option by the club - according to L'Équipe.

Instead, it looks like Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could be in line to start against Les Violets on Sunday. The Denmark international featured during Lens' victory over Lens back in September, and L'Équipe reported he could be the choice made by RDZ against TFC.

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