Marseille vs. Nantes: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Ligue 1 Game

Olympique de Marseille’s 3-1 comeback win over Bordeaux at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday was enough to put Marcelo Bielsa’s side back on top of Ligue 1. On Friday, they face a tough test against an FC Nantes side that has the best defence in France.

They may not be as free-scoring as Marseille, but Nantes are enjoying a wonderful start to the season and begin the week up in fourth place. They have only scored 13 times, compared to OM’s 30, but they have only conceded nine times in 14 games.

Last season, it was Nantes that came away with the victory in this fixture. American midfielder Alejandro Bedoya squeezed a shot past Steve Mandanda in the first half, and Marseille couldn’t find an equaliser.

Les Canaris are unbeaten in their last nine games going into Friday’s game, with their last three victories coming away from home; they will firmly believe they can leave the Stade Velodrome on Friday with another three points.

Here are the key issues and the decisions that will shape Friday night’s Ligue 1 game.

Bielsa's Exciting Attacking Dilemma

Claude Paris/Associated Press

This season, during his pre-match press conferences, Marcelo Bielsa has made it a habit to name his starting XI days before the game.

On Wednesday, per the official Marseille website (in French), for the first time in weeks, Bielsa was more reserved and didn’t reveal his selection. His reason? He has not yet decided.

Nicolas N’Koulou, Alaixys Romao, Jeremy Morel and Romain Alessandrini are all fit to come back into the team, with Andre Ayew the only continued absence.

However, one big choice for Bielsa is who to play upfront. During the press conference, he revealed that he has thought about the possibility of playing Andre-Pierre Gignac with Michy Batshuayi in a two-man attack.

The young Belgian striker scored his first for Marseille against Bordeaux, looking bright and sharp. Apart from his second-half goal, Gignac was far from his best, and Batshuayi’s mobility against Nantes could be the key to breaking down the stubborn defence.

It is unlikely that Bielsa would drop Gignac, but giving him a partner would be an interesting move from the Argentinian.

Best Defence Against an Unsettled Defence

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Friday’s match is going to be very interesting from a defensive point of view.

Nantes’ very successful back four will be tested to the fullest against the high-scoring Marseille attack, but OM‘s unsettled defensive unit will find themselves stretched against Nantes' mobile attack.

Venezuelan centre-back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo is an ever-present in the FCN back line, with partner Papy Djilobodji only missing one game this season.

With Issa Cissokho to the right and veteran Olivier Veigneau on the left, coach Michel Der Zakarian has a settled, well-organised side. The more they play together, the harder they are becoming to break down.

On the opposite side, Marseille's defence has been less settled as of late. Baptiste Aloe made his first start against Bordeaux, and with Morel and N’Koulou fit again, Bielsa could make more changes to his defence.

The Argentinian coach loves a settled XI, but injuries and suspensions have limited the continuity lately. Bielsa will have to decide whether he changes it up again or whether to continue with either Aloe or Rod Fanni beside the excellent N’Koulou.

Nantes Have to Play Wide and Pressure

Claude Paris/Associated Press

As Bordeaux showed on Sunday, there is one clear way to cause Marseille problems at the back. Press the full-backs and push the ball down the wings with pace.

That has to be the same tactic that Der Zakarian utilises on Friday. On the wings, he has players like Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Serge Gakpe that can play at pace, backed up by the constant runs of Cissokho on the right.

He also has the hard work and grit of Vincent Bessat, Lucas Deaux and Jordan Veretout, who will be crucial if they are to press the Marseille defence high up the pitch.

All of the aforementioned players will need to be at their best to trouble and disrupt the Marseille back line, but N’Koudou could be the one that makes the difference.

The 19-year-old winger has the skill and the pace to really get at either Benjamin Mendy or Brice Dja Djedje, and if Der Zakarian puts his faith in the teenager, he could be rewarded with a great result.