Marseille's difficult season begins

Olympique de Marseille is having a tough start to the 2023-2024 football season, with new coach Bruno Genesio struggling to manage a weakened squad. The team has lost 11 players without replacing them, leaving the roster significantly smaller and less experienced.

Genesio earns cautious support

Despite the poor results, Genesio has retained the trust and goodwill of many fans and observers. Unlike usual, critics have been more understanding of his situation, partly because of his reputation as a kind and approachable figure, according to Ambre Godillon, a columnist for L'Équipe.

Challenges beyond the coach's control

Godillon acknowledged that Genesio's coaching skills are not in question, but pointed out that the club's failure to sign new players has hurt the team's performance. She noted that his ambitions for the team are higher than what the current circumstances allow.

Marseille's poor league and Europa League performance

After seven matches in Ligue 1, Marseille is in 9th place with three wins and four losses. In the Europa League, the team is near the bottom, 34th out of 36 teams, with three consecutive losses. The club faces Le Havre in the eighth round of Ligue 1 on Sunday at 17:15.

Key absences for the upcoming match

Bruno Genesio will be without several key players for the match against Le Havre, including Derek Cornelius, who is still recovering from a hip injury, and Faris Moumbagna, Alexi Koum, and Ibrahim Gomis, who were not selected. Antoine Valero, who made his Europa League debut earlier in the week, will also sit out. Instead, Neal Maupay, Igor Paixao, and Amine Gouiri are among those called up to face Le Havre.