Jonathan Clauss suffers muscle tear and provides Marseille with selection headache
Olympique de Marseille’s injury crisis deepens further. Jonathan Clauss (31) complained of fatigue before the start of the international break, blaming Les Phocéens’ 2-0 defeat to Stade Rennais on the intense calendar in weeks gone by.
The former RC Lens full-back made only a brief substitute appearance against Germany on Saturday. However, he was then given the chance to secure his place in Didier Deschamps’ Euros squad against Chile on Tuesday. He wasn’t given a fair shot to make his case, as he was withdrawn in the 11th minute with injury, to be replaced by Barcelona’s Jules Koundé.
It was quickly ascertained that Clauss had suffered a tear to his left hamstring, which will likely sideline him for several weeks, not only leaving Marseille light on defensive options as they look to penetrate the European places but also damaging his hopes of making the Euros later this year. Clauss is appreciated by Deschamps and fitness permitting, he will be on the plane, however, whilst he is sidelined, could an impressive run of performances from Malo Gusto, for example, change his mind?
With Bamo Meïté, Ulisses Garcia, Amir Murillo and Samuel Gigot all out in defence, and with Leonardo Balerdi not at full fitness, Gasset has just two fully fit defenders to face Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. He will have to cobble together a makeshift defence, composed of just Chancel Mbemba and Quentin Merlin as recognised, fully fit defenders.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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