Olympique Marseille – CaughtOffside

Lyon manager Fabio Grosso left bleeding after team bus was attacked by fans

Sean Walker — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 21:25:34 +0000

Fabio Grosso was left bandaged and bleeding after his team coach was attacked by a group of fans throwing projectiles.

The Ligue 1 clash between Marseille and Lyon on Sunday evening had to be called off after the visiting side’s team bus was attacked as it made its way to the Stade Velodrome.

The projectiles, mostly stones, smashed the windows of the team bus with the shards of glass injuring Grosso.

The Lyon manager was left bleeding heavily and had to receive immediate medical treatment for his wounds.

Fabio Grosso, the Lyon manager, after the team bus was attacked by Marseille fans tonight. @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/TK1CrFwC0c

— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) October 29, 2023

This is not the first time a game in Marseille has been called off, in 2021 their match against Rennes was postponed after fans stormed the training ground in protest.

Video footage shows the damaged coach arriving at the stadium.

The Lyon bus was targeted and hit by rocks thrown on its way to the Velodrome to face Marseille. The Lyon manager Fabio Grosso was injured and bleeding as shards of glass cut his face. @ESPNFC
pic.twitter.com/knbisUQXZ2

— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) October 29, 2023

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Video: Joao Pedro fires home 88th minute penalty to level the scores in Marseille

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 18:38:15 +0000

Though it came very late in the second half, Joao Pedro’s spot-kick looked to have earned Brighton and Hove Albion a vital point against Marseille in the Europa League.

The French giants had raced into a two-goal first-half lead, both goals coming inside two minutes.

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The Seagulls managed to stop the rot and managed to get themselves back into the game thanks to a second-half strike from Pascal Gross.

With time running out, Joao Pedro was the calmest man on the pitch to equalise for Roberto De Zerbi’s team.

??| GOAL: Pedro scores from the spot

Marseille 2-2 Brighton

pic.twitter.com/BlUTaiWMP7

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 5, 2023

Cool, calm and collected from João Pedro. ?

Brighton overcome a 2-0 deficit to bring the noise in the Velodrome. ?? pic.twitter.com/UloEgNAjeT

— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 5, 2023

Pictures from Viaplay and CBS Sports Golazo

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Video: Pascal Gross hands Brighton a lifeline in Marseille

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 18:12:44 +0000

After conceding two in two minutes during the first half of their Europa League tie against Marseille, Brighton and Hove Albion held firm until Pascal Gross gave them a glimmer of hope after the break.

Roberto De Zerbi would be forgiven for thinking that lightning was striking twice after the two quickfire goals brought memories of the weekend’s humbling at Aston Villa back.

Fortunately, the Italian galvanised his side who began to gain a foothold in the match the longer it went on.

The Seagulls got their reward in the 54th minute as Pascal Gross fired home from a Kaoru Mitoma delivery.

Game on! ?

Pascal Groß finds the space to bring Brighton back into this #UEL clash ? pic.twitter.com/WdqWem0hbF

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 5, 2023

Kaoru Mitoma finds Pascal Groß to give Brighton a lifeline. ?

Game on in Marseille. ? pic.twitter.com/ZkKQyOQz2P

— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 5, 2023

Pictures from TNT Sports and CBS Sports Golazo

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Video: Brighton go 2-0 down at Marseille in the space of 90 seconds

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:18:22 +0000

After a solid start to their 2023/24 season, Brighton and Hove Albion have come apart in the last couple of games.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side were humbled by Aston Villa in the Premier League at the weekend, and two goals in two minutes for Marseille in their Europa League tie has put the Seagulls on the back foot again.

The visitors had more than held their own against the Ligue Un giants for the first 18 minutes, but lapses of concentration saw them two behind before 20 minutes was on the clock.

It’s a long way back for them from this point.

? GOAL | Marseille 1-0 Brighton | Mbemba

Follow our partner page @ocontextsoccer pic.twitter.com/m1EQYU9dn1

— VAR Tático (@vartatico) October 5, 2023

It's not the greatest of starts for Brighton ?

The Seagulls are 2-0 down in a matter of 90 seconds!#UEL pic.twitter.com/6t8S3HPKHq

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 5, 2023

GOAL!!!

The Brighton European dream is turning into a nightmare.

Seconds after the first goal, Lewis Dunk makes a HOWLER and is punished by former Aston Villa man Jordan Veretout!#beINUEL #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/zlm4qWfJ8w

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) October 5, 2023

Pictures from TNT Sports, Viaplay and beIN Sports

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Exclusive Jonathan Johnson column: Reaction to Lens-Arsenal & Newcastle-PSG, plus potential forward transfer

Jonathan Johnson — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to my exclusive column for the Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe for more content from myself, Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and more!

Mixed week for French clubs in the Champions League

Lens earned a big win as they came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in a memorable first home game of the season in the Champions League, while Newcastle saw off Paris Saint-Germain in some style thanks to a similarly lively atmosphere at St James’ Park.

So, mixed success for Ligue 1 teams, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the two teams that came out on top were the two teams who’ve been away from the Champions League, and indeed the European stage, for a long, long time. Both sides were playing in front of really electric atmospheres, which I think made a big difference.

Still, in Arsenal’s case it’s also important to note that the match changed for them with the injury to Bukayo Saka. I do think that could have an impact on Arsenal’s season, depending on how long he’s out for. With Newcastle, it was a fantastic performance and a fully deserved win, but equally if a couple of other chances had gone PSG’s way earlier in the game, it could’ve been a different story. On that first goal for Newcastle, you’d also expect much better from a player like Marquinhos in the PSG defence.

Overall, not the best nights for Arsenal or PSG, but with the important caveat that these were very special occasions for the home team on the night, and that can make for an intimidating atmosphere that also allowed Newcastle and Lens to play above and beyond themselves.

The stand-out performer for Lens on the night was matchwinner Elye Wahi – a player who was on the radar of a number of top clubs over the summer, most notably Chelsea, but I was also impressed by the response of Adrien Thomasson, who made a mistake for the opening goal by Gabriel Jesus but who then scored the equaliser.

I was impressed by Lens’ resolve, and the fact that they didn’t try to do anything too different, whereas in PSG’s case you have to question why Luis Enrique decided to only go for two central midfielders and four attackers when any minimal amount of match preparation would have shown that that was a suicidal approach. Lens, by contrast, didn’t change their approach for Arsenal and played in the way that’s got them to where they are – their strong understanding and intimacy within their set-up I think was key to getting themselves back into the game.

Wahi is the big name in this Lens side, but I thought there were a number of impressive performers really, particularly Nampalys Mendy, who has settled in really well despite only being at the club for around six weeks. Kevin Danso was also really solid in defence and Brice Samba, the captain, made some important saves. You couldn’t really argue that they didn’t deserve this win.

Hugo Ekitike heading for PSG exit

I can confirm that Hugo Ekitike is no longer wanted at PSG following transfer rumours about his situation and a possible move to the Premier League. The interest from Crystal Palace, which was also there towards the end of the summer transfer window, has been very problematic for PSG because he and his agent didn’t inform PSG that they were trying to negotiate a loan move to Crystal Palace. This was around the time PSG were negotiating a move for Randal Kolo Muani and Ekitike was of interest to Eintracht Frankfurt at that point.

Ekitike has now been dropped from the squad, he’s not on PSG’s list for the Champions League, so his future at the Parc des Princes looks very bleak. There have been links with Everton as well, but I think interest from Newcastle is in the past now. Still, I certainly expect Ekitike to be on the move this winter because there’s no future for him in Paris.

It’s going to be very difficult for PSG to get the kind of money back that they paid for him. PSG already knew they were over-paying for the player because the fee was agreed before his initial loan move, during which he lost massive value. They tried to get out of this deal but they were obliged to complete it.

Realistically, PSG would now be lucky to get a paid loan with a view to a permanent transfer for around €20m, if everything were to go well, but I think it’s clear they’re going to have to accept a significant hit on this transfer, unless he can go out on loan and really impress and build up some value.

Moussa Dembele’s stinging attack on Lyon

Moussa Dembele laid into his former club Lyon in an interview with Foot Mercato, saying: “I left like Malo [Gusto], Castello [Lukeba] and Bradley [Barcola] did, and they did well to leave in order to improve, enjoy better momentum for their development and earn more money. Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes were also right to leave. Look at the fun they’re having! Bruno Cheyrou said the players were assets, what a lack of respect. Where did he think he was? A slave ship? In a cotton field? I’m not an asset, I’m a human being! If we’re assets, what are the fans? Consumers? This is such a dangerous and disrespectful take.”

There has undoubtedly been an institutional crisis going on at Lyon for a few years now, there have been serious question marks about how complacent the club has been, going back to the end of Jean-Michel Aulas’ reign.

Dembele was one of a number of players who, being totally honest, under-performed a bit, but, equally, there was a malaise that was allowed to set in around the club. Houssem Aouar is a good example of this – a hugely talented player who rose up through Lyon’s academy but whose form really dropped off a cliff once a move to Juventus was blocked.

I think a number of players will be feeling similarly, but now that Dembele’s moved on, he’s able to speak out about it. It’s certainly something that’s been brewing for a few years, and even this week there have been reports that one of John Textor’s investors already wants out of the project just a few months into his ownership. It’s a really unhappy place right now, so Dembele’s comments don’t really come as much of a surprise at all.

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Brighton team news: Strong XI from De Zerbi for Marseille test

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:07:41 +0000

There’s no margin for error for Roberto De Zerbi and his Brighton and Hove Albion side on Thursday night, as they travel to Marseille looking to pick up their first points of the 2023/24 edition of the Europa League.

After a 6-1 humbling at the hands of Aston Villa last time out, and with their next two Premier League fixtures coming against Liverpool and Man City, things aren’t going to get any easier for the Seagulls. In the short-term at least.

To De Zerbi’s credit, he’s gone with a strong XI for Thursday night’s test against the French giants, and if they can pull off an upset in France, it will kick-start their European campaign.

TEAM NEWS! ? Here's our starting XI to face Marseille in the @EuropaLeague. ??

? https://t.co/S3j1TIeLz3 // #BHAFC ?? pic.twitter.com/TVFhwXaD4U

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 5, 2023

Ansu Fati and Danny Welbeck start up front, and their European experience should hold them both in good stead.

Jason Steele is tasked with keeping the Ligue Un side at bay, and he’ll be expected to be shielded well by his defence of Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Tariq Lamptey and Jan Paul van Hecke.

Solly March, Pascal Gross, Mahmoud Dahoud and Kaoru Mitoma complete the line-up on what could turn out to be an historic night for the club.

De Zerbi’s credentials were sorely tested at Villa Park but he’s unlikely to have his team playing in any other manner. That bravery could well earn the Italian his reward.

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Brighton suffer huge injury blow ahead of Marseille clash

Andrew Walker — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 08:11:50 +0000

Brighton and Hove Albion will be without Pervis Estupinan for ‘a month’ after the full-back suffered a muscular injury.

The club confirmed the bad news on their official website, announcing the Ecuador international will begin his spell on the sidelines by missing tonight’s Europa League clash against Marseille.

Set to miss the entire month of October, Estupinan, 25, will be a huge loss for Roberto De Zerbi and the Seagulls.

The 25-year-old has been in inspired form throughout the early stages of the season, including providing three assists and netting one goal in six Premier League appearances.

However, keen to ensure his side’s performances do not drop, De Zerbi has challenged the likes of Tariq Lamptey to set up and fill the void left by Estupinan.

“He’s injured and can’t play for a month,” the Brighton boss said.

Monaco vs Marseille team news

Connor Holden — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 10:07:51 +0000

Monaco (4th in Ligue 1) take on Marseille (8th in Ligue 1) on Saturday 30th of September, at Stade Louis II, at 20:00 PM (BST).

The last time the two sides faced, the game ended a 1-1 draw. Goals from Alexis Sanchez for Marseille, and a Jordan Veretout own goal for Monaco.

Monaco lost their last Ligue 1 fixture, losing 1-0 to Nice. The only goal of the game being scored by Jeremie Boga in the 91st minute to win the game for Nice and secure three points.

Marseille also lost their previous Ligue 1 game, losing 4-0 to PSG. Goals from Achraf Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos (x2) to secure the victory.

How to watch Monaco vs Marseille

Date: Saturday, September 30th, 2023
Kickoff: 20:00 PM (BST)
TV Network: TNT Sports
Venue: Stade Louis II

Team News:

Monaco will remain without Edan Diop, Caio Henrique, Mohammed Salisu, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo through injury.

Marseille will be without Pedro Ruiz, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Ismaila Sarr through injury, however the rest of the squad is fit and available to face Monaco on Saturday.

Predicted XI:

Monaco: Kohn, Magassa, Zakaria, Singo, Jakobs, Fofana, Camara, Vanderson, Golovin, Minamino, Ben-Yedder.

Marseille: Lopez, Balerdi, Gigot, Mbemba, Lodi, Veretout, Ounahi, Rongier, Clauss, Aubameyang, Oliveira.

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Newcastle owner’s promise could see incredible return to management for Zinedine Zidane

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:15:19 +0000

Zinedine Zidane remains one of the most elegant and talented players to have ever played the game of football, with his success as a player replicated in management, as he became the first in the modern era to oversee a team – Real Madrid – win the Champions League three times in succession.

The Frenchman’s pedigree isn’t in question, and yet he’s been out of the game for for over two years after leaving Los Blancos for a second time.

If things end up falling into place in the short-term, however, we could witness the sight of Zizou on the touchline once more.

According to Info France Bleu, the owners of Newcastle, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) are looking to purchase Marseille from current owner, Frank McCourt.

It’s understood that McCourt isn’t necessarily willing to sell, however, as we’ve seen with players initially reticent to go to the Saudi Pro League, there’s almost a limitless supply of money to tempt McCourt to do business.

As long as PIF can complete a takeover – Marseille is a strategic purchase and will be bought with the idea of being competitive domestically and in Europe – then Zidane will be installed as the club’s new manager.

To this point the Frenchman has rebuffed the idea of working for Paris Saint-Germain, and that could have something to do with his roots being in Marseille.

Were he to takeover on the bench there, he’ll be persona non grata at PSG in no time at all.

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Zinedine Zidane has an agreement with Newcastle owners to take over manager role

Darren Looney — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:38:19 +0000

When it comes to football managers currently out of work, Zinedine Zidane is one of the best available but he might not be for long as the Real Madrid legend is said to have an agreement in place to become the next manager of Marseille should the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) successfully takeover the club.

According to a report in France Bleu Provence, Zidane has a theoretical agreement in place with the PIF, who are also owners of Newcastle United, to become the next manager of his boyhood club should they take over the Ligue 1 side in the future.

The Saudis are aiming to take over Marseille from current owner Frank McCourt and are keen to submit a bid, although it appears that, as things stand, McCourt is unwilling to sell.

It is believed that PIF have identified OM as the ideal club to take over due to their status and standing in French football, and it would also allow them to directly compete with their regional rivals Qatar, who own French giants Paris Saint-Germian.

Zinedine Zidane to Marseille?