Ligue 1 Review | Cause for concern at Marseille

“If you’re asking me if I’m worried, yes, I am a bit,” reacted Gennaro Gattuso after Olympique de Marseille’s latest loss. Without a Ligue 1 victory since 8th October, there is good reason for concern.

Marseille are exiting a turbulent period. After Igor Tudor’s departure in the summer, Marcelino lasted just a matter of games in the post before threats and slander from the club’s fanbase precipitated his swift departure. Other executive members of the club, including Pablo Longoria, were also subjected to such threats. President Longoria temporarily stepped back from his role in September before announcing that he would remain at the club. 

Upon his return to his functions, Longoria had the task of finding Marcelino’s successor. Gattuso was the man ultimately brought in. In terms of personality and play style, he could not have been much more of a radical departure from his predecessor, which immediately caused issues. 

“I respect Marcelino and his staff, but he had a different style of play and I think that the players have 60 or 65 minutes in their legs to play a high-pressing game,” said Gattuso after a 2-2 draw against Brighton at the Vélodrome in early October. It seems these problems still persist. 

Gattuso questioned his player’s work rate after Sunday’s loss against RC Lens, which leaves them heading into the international break into the second half of the Ligue 1 table. “We see some players pressing at only 50 or 60%, which is unacceptable. We’re going to work to try and resolve these issues,” said the Italian manager.

Lens’ winner came in the 90th minute and Gattuso believes that his players must “work on the mental level.” However, as he has repeatedly acknowledged, there is a fitness issue and when the body goes,