25/26 Preview #9: Olympique de Marseille

last season

Having missed out on all forms of European football the season prior, Marseille invested heavily on and off the pitch. Roberto De Zerbi came in as manager, whilst there was significant investment in playing staff, including Amine Gouiri, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Adrien Rabiot, Mason Greenwood, and Jonathan Rowe.

It was a topsy-turvy season and an extremely entertaining one from a neutral's point of view. It ended with a second-place finish in Ligue 1 McDonald's, with only eventual champions PSG outscoring De Zerbi's men. OM returned to European football, and with a flourish, too.

the coach: Roberto De zerbi

An explosive, emotive manager, De Zerbi is in many ways a reflection of Marseille as a club. He showed that he has the temperament to swim, rather than sink, in what is certainly a testing environment for managers. The high managerial turnover in recent seasons is a testament to that.

The Italian arrived at Marseille with a vast experience across the continent, following spells at Shakhtar Donetsk, Sassuolo, and Brighton. It is with Brighton, in the Premier League, that De Zerbi truly forged his reputation as one of the most up-and-coming managers in Europe.

At OM, he has looked to implement his distinctive style, which is defined by positional and possession-based approaches. Whilst the formation may change, there are a set of principles that transcend the shape, with his players asked to occupy spaces, retaining a shape, but also allowing for a certain fluidity. "Baiting" the press remains a fundamental for De Zerbi, as it was for one of his former assistants, Francesco Farioli, when he was at Nice. With another pre-season under his belt, De Zerbi will hope that his squad will become even more familiar with his principles and tactics.

key arrivals

After last season's recruitment drive, it has been another busy summer for Marseille's sporting director, Mehdi Benatia. Igor Paixão is the most expensive signing for OM, and indeed in Ligue 1 McDonald's, so far this summer. The Brazilian put up impressive statistics for Feyenoord, where he was particularly highly rated by now-Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

A familiar name in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Facundo Medina, has also arrived from Lens, and he will partner his compatriot, Leonardo Balerdi. However, to earn his starting spot, he may have to fend off competition from England youth international CJ Egan-Riley, who joined on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Burnley. His compatriot, Angel Gomes, has also joined following the expiry of his Lille contract, and, one year after leaving, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to the Vélodrome.

key departures

Luis Henrique finally established himself at Marseille last season and earned himself a move to Inter Milan. He has left alongside Valentin Rongier and Quentin Merlin, both of whom have joined Rennes. The likes of Ismaël Koné, Luiz Felipe, and Chancel Mbemba have also left Les Phocéens.

remember when...

OM return to the Champions League this season. They do so no longer the only French side to have won the prestigious tournament, after PSG's exploit last season. However, as Marseille fans have always, and will always repeat: "OM, à jamais les premiers", always the first, in English.

Until just a few weeks ago, Marseille were the only French side to have been crowned champions, back in 1993, when they beat AC Milan, coincidentally, also in Munich.

cult hero: Didier drogba

Didier Drogba may only have spent one year at Marseille. You wouldn't know it by the way that he continues to be spoken about by the OM fans, nor by the admiration with which Drogba continues to show for his former club. The Ivorian needed just one year to make a huge impression at the Vélodrome. It was a breakout campaign, marked by 32 goals in 55 appearances, which saw him swiftly snatched up by Chelsea. It was the start of a meteoric rise that for Drogba would end with multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.

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