Marseille Squad Dismantled as Bruno Génésio Stays On

A warm, muggy evening in Monaco offered a clear indication of how Marseille’s supporters currently feel. Although visiting fans were officially barred from the Stade Louis II, many still attended the 2-0 loss in the Principality. New manager Bruno Génésio received applause, Geoffrey Kondogbia was jeered, and the quiet that dominated much of the second half revealed even more about the mood.

Génésio arrived during the summer as Habib Beye’s successor, with the task of restoring stability. The former Lille coach is one part of a broader restructuring at Marseille that has also brought in a new president and sporting director. They have taken charge of a deeply troubled club. Marseille secured permission to play in Europe this season after giving assurances to Uefa and French football’s financial regulator, the DNCG. Unless the wage bill is cut substantially, however, European participation next season will not be approved.

The club made every member of the squad available during the transfer window. New sporting director Grégory Lorenzi had already acknowledged that the summer would be challenging, but even Génésio was surprised by the scale of the crisis. “Did I think circumstances would be this difficult? Not really,” the manager said last week. “I understood that problems existed, but I did not expect them to be so severe. I never thought we would find ourselves in this situation.”

Marseille have raised funds by selling Mason Greenwood, Facundo Medina, Gerónimo Rulli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while former captain Leonardo Balerdi has joined Roma on loan. Those departures have still not created enough financial flexibility to sign anyone, leaving the club without a single new arrival. “We will not be bringing in any players,” Génésio said on Sunday evening. “Another three or four must leave before we can register one or two newcomers.”

Is it possible that Génésio could leave? Before travelling to Monaco, he said: “There is nothing to report about a possible resignation … at the moment.” After only two matches, though, that possibility already hangs over the club. Despite his association with Lyon, he has quickly won the affection of Marseille’s support. His understated personality is the kind that has previously frustrated the fanbase. Marcelino, for example, was considered short of the required Marseillais passion and was forced out after only seven games.

Marseille supporters near the tunnel sang Génésio’s name when he walked on to the field for the warm-up on Sunday. Kondogbia received a very different response when he limped towards the tunnel after struggling against Paris Brunner, the scorer of both Monaco goals. As one of Marseille’s highest-paid players, his departure would have provided additional freedom in the transfer market.

Igor Paixão may instead be the player sacrificed. He is arguably the squad’s most gifted footballer, as well as one of its most valuable assets. Marseille clearly missed the injured Brazilian on Sunday. Quinten Timber, another player who could depart, took his place but looked uncomfortable in an unfamiliar wide role. “Naturally, losing a player leaves us considerably weaker,” Génésio said.

Keyliane Abdallah replaced Timber at half-time, but the academy graduate, making only his fourth senior appearance, could not improve the situation. Marseille have rarely demonstrated a reliable ability to develop young players, although financial pressure may now force that to change. The alternative is to continue relying on footballers who had previously fallen out of favour. Himad Abdelli, Angel Gomes, Amine Harit, Derek Cornelius, Neal Maupay and Faris Moumbagna have all been offered fresh opportunities without doing enough to justify them.

Génésio has little room to act differently. Decisions throughout the club are being driven by necessity rather than preference, usually at the expense of sporting performance. The squad’s value and its prospects have both declined sharply during the summer. There is not only a shortage of quality, but also an obvious lack of depth. Kondogbia is already injured, while half-time replacement Tochukwu Nnadi was unable to finish the match. Europa League commitments will place even greater strain on Marseille’s limited resources.

Génésio’s composed manner may prove essential amid the turmoil. He refused to become “overly excited” following last weekend’s 4-0 victory against Strasbourg and similarly insisted there was “no cause for concern” after the loss in Monaco.

The Marseille contingent inside the Louis II became increasingly quiet as the match escaped their team during the second half. Génésio is attempting to reduce the tension surrounding the club. Such restraint has not always appealed to the passionate Marseillais. This occasion feels different. The supporters appear to understand the reality, even if describing it as resignation would revive an uncomfortable subject for their manager. At a club with almost no money to spend, Génésio may now be Marseille’s most important asset.

Key discussion points

Davide Ancelotti spent years accompanying his father around the world, so he may have enjoyed seeing those positions reversed on Friday evening. Ancelotti Jr, previously an assistant under his father, became Lille’s manager during the summer in his first senior European appointment. Carlo attended the match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, officially to monitor Brazilian players Marquinhos, Alexsandro and Lucas Beraldo. It was also his son’s toughest assignment so far, against one of Carlo’s former teams, making his presence unsurprising. The evening delivered plenty of drama.

Paris Saint-Germain again demonstrated that they have not yet reached their best level. A week after recovering from two goals behind to draw against Rennes, they repeated the feat against Lille. Another slow opening forced another comeback, this time in even more remarkable circumstances. Substitute Dilane Bakwa marked his debut by curling an excellent finish into the top corner to give Lille a 2-0 advantage. The champions appeared beaten until Vitinha struck from distance in the first minute of added time. After the indicated period had expired, Marquinhos headed home the equaliser. The outcome was painful for Davide Ancelotti, although his early work suggests he is capable of establishing a reputation independent of his father.

Lyon fell into the Europa League following their midweek defeat by Fenerbahce, leaving Paulo Fonseca under uncomfortable scrutiny for the first time. “I am the finest coach Lyon have had in recent years,” Fonseca said. “There is nothing more for me to add. The statistics are difficult to dispute.” Missing out on the Champions League may lead to the departure of influential players, particularly Malick Fofana, before the transfer window shuts. A home draw with Le Havre over the weekend added to the growing disappointment at the Groupama Stadium.

This article was produced by Get French Football News