Olympique de Marseille have a rich history in French football and this season Marcelo Bielsa’s side look to capitalize on their superb start to the season and challenge, once again like in the clubs history, for the coveted Ligue 1 title. The French-coast side have had troubles last season staying afloat in the top of Ligue 1, but the club is always reliable is staying on the top level of football played. OM have had an impressive make over since the arrival of new Argentine coach , Marcelo Bielsa and the side has flourished quickly atop big teams such as Lyon and Paris St Germain since the beginning of this new season.
Marseille have won the Ligue 1 title twice as many times as Paris St Germain, the clubs largest rivals, a record 9 times in Ligue 1 and 1 time in Ligue 2. They have also beaten all top level French clubs by being Coupe De France winners ten times. Of OM biggest rivals, Paris St Germain, Le Classique is where the rivalry of fans and clubs alike collide every year; similar to the La Liga El Classico, Le Classique is where Ligue 1 turns the heat up twice per year. The two clubs rivalries stem from Paris being the capital city and the largest in France, where Marseille stands as the second largest city, with a beautiful French Mediterranean coast as well as a similar metropolitan area to Paris. In the following, we break down why Marseille are on their way to becoming unstoppable, yet again.
Marcelo Bielsa
The Argentinian coach has only been the leader of OM for a few months and his influence has shown to be worth the while of Les Olympiens. Bielsa has an extensive past in coaching football, mainly noted on the international stage for Chile and Argentina. His influence on Chile had been grand enough for him to receive the nickname “Loco Bielsa”. His Argentinian style of coaching comes from also being a large influence on Argentinian clubs such as Lionel Messi’s (although they never worked together) first professional club, Newell’s Old Boys Club.
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His style of play has fit in perfectly for Marseille so far, it is sometimes considered frantic. But the chaos has a very dynamic method behind it, which already has shown to work. He is also very flexible with the tactics he uses, which I think has helped him utilize such quick results for the squad. A fast paced passing game is the style in which he midfield generate an attack, once the 18 yard box opens up for possibilities, the defense is found to be unaware of what is next. And that is where the attack take full advantage. This is true in the case of striker, Andre Pierre Gignac, who currently holds top goal scorer in Ligue 1–his examination is next.
Andre Pierre Gignac
Potentially one of the most influential players so far this season, Gignac doesnt consider himself in the same elite club as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he has surprised his critics by witholding the coveted spot of top goal scorer so far in Ligue 1. He over took Zlatan this past Wednesday when Marseille won cleanly away from home against Stade Reims. His accuracy under Bielsa’s style has kept him deadly in front of goal as well as the fact that he isnt only scoring goals, but helping create them for teammates. One of whom scored against AS Sainte Etienne this afternoon, in a thrilling end to end battle at home at Stade Velodrome, with a 2-1 win. The midfielder was French international Dimitri Payet.
Dimitri Payet
A strong midfielder whose purpose on the pitch is exactly what a team such as Marseille need. His work ethic from end to end on the pitch is not only useful, but provides results. Payet had a wonderful game against ASSE this afternoon, netting their second goal by way of a free kick. His work rate through the first half was impressive and proved to be celebrated when he locked in a second goal for Les Olympiens in the 28th minute. The french-coast side had dominated possession, similar to the style of Brendan Rogers Liverpool, but withholding the ball with back passes into easy passes to the midfield, through the likes of Payet and running into the ASSE defense with ultimate attack and goal scoring efforts in mind. The side can draw much credit from the midfielder as his stand out performance should continue its momentum forward.
What is interesting is in Europe much of the excuses for poor football comes from lack of rest. Some sides play as many as 2-3 games per week, depending on their domestic and European schedule. OM have had 2 games this past week and looked as if their form has only increased in strength. The idea surely makes much sense and although OM do not have European engagements, such as their rivals PSG, they should be able to continue the upward trajectory in Ligue 1 and challenge dangerously against the likes of PSG for the Ligue 1 title. The season is still young, but the 2 year contract of coach, Marcelo Bielsa has only begun–his influence has allowed the team to find new heights in only a matter of months. With the staleness of Laurent Blanc’s PSG, perhaps Le Classique will be a major wake up call for the capital club on November 7th.