Bruno Genesio and Olympique de Marseille kick off their European campaign this Thursday at 21:00 against Besiktas in Istanbul, opening a delicate chapter in the Europa League. Despite a difficult start to the domestic season and a restricted squad, the French coach insists his team will remain competitive while adopting a humble approach.
A crucial European challenge for Marseille
The stakes are high for OM, who fought hard in the boardroom to secure their European spot and desperately need the financial rewards from UEFA and the Vélodrome matchdays. Genesio, who holds fond memories of Besiktas from his time with Lyon, deeply respects a tournament that has historically brought him success with French clubs like Rennes and Lille.
Squad rotation and tactical choices
With a thin squad and an inability to heavily recruit, questions remain regarding Marseille's ability to juggle both Ligue 1 and European fixtures. Genesio acknowledged that a slight turnover is necessary:
- Giving opportunities to players who have lacked playing time.
- Blending starters with squad players to find the right balance.
- Maintaining squad cohesion and physical progression through matches.
Captain Timothy Weah echoed this ambition, emphasizing that the squad is fully focused on being competitive and progressing past the initial group phase, despite current difficulties.
Next fixture
After their European encounter in Istanbul against Besiktas, OM will turn their full attention back to domestic duties before a three-week international break interrupts the Ligue 1 schedule.
Photo : Sebastien Lucas — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
