This Sunday at 1 p.m., ASSE-OM on behalf of the 36th day of Ligue 1, the Greens of Saint-Etienne receive the Phocéens.
Presentation of the match
The northern derby took place and Lille won 3-0 against valiant Lensois reduced to 10 shortly after the start of the match. Olympique de Marseille absolutely have to win against AS Saint Etienne to take a real option in this famous fifth place.
It should be remembered that in the first leg, the Stéphanois beat the Olympiens at the end of a match in which the Marseille strikers were extremely clumsy.
At the time, Puel’s men were on a very high dynamic and AVB’s men were struggling to get into this championship. Having faced varying fortunes, the two clubs have one thing in common, that of having experienced a serious crisis between supporters and managers.
OM ousted Jacques Henri Eyrault, symbol of the failure of the Champion Project and the departure of André Villas Boas. Since the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, the Marseille team has shown new values of combat and solidarity. The goal for the end of the season is: qualification for the Europa League.
Even if the game is not yet there, the Marseillais are offering some interesting sequences. Anything other than a victory on Sunday would be a poor performance.
Regarding Saint-Etienne, the club has been on sale for 1 month. Realizing that the two presidents no longer have control over the squad and the club’s finances, the Greens came close to correctional in January. Puel’s men were in fact in a relegation position.
The former Leicester coach has since integrated young players from the academy into the first team. In this way, the club managed to save their place in the top flight.
A glimmer of hope
The current form is to the advantage of our Olympians. Indeed, over the last five games they have taken 11 points out of 15 possible. The Sampaoli effect is felt, at least, in the results. The arrival of the Argentinian even set off a fad, the “Sampaoli-time”. A kind of Fergie-time with Argentinian sauce, which describes victories in the final minutes of the match.
Beware of Forez men, however, they too are in an interesting shape. Having taken 9 points out of the 15 possible, they mobilized to prevent the club from a sporting descent which would have been catastrophic. The Stéphanois also have a lot of difficulties at home. They have accumulated only 18 points over the season, in their den of Geoffroy Guichard.
It’s a classic of the championship, two very popular teams will go head to head, hoping to see some spectacle on the pitch if not in the stands.
By wishing to see OM prevail and finally take solid fifth place. The appointment is made this Sunday at 1 p.m. on Canal + sport.
