Find the 3 pieces of information that you shouldn’t miss this Thursday, December 19, 2024 about Olympique de Marseille.
1- Ligue 1: New arbitration scandal, PSG takes 10 points ahead of OM!
PSG beat AS Monaco 4-2 in a match marked by a refereeing error by Letexier, who did not exclude Singo after a violent foul on Donnarumma, a decision which contrasts with the expulsion of Harit during ‘a previous match. With this victory, PSG takes a 10-point lead over OM and Monaco, strengthening its place at the top of the standings.
The PSG won a crazy match against AS Monaco (4-2) in a scenario where a refereeing error left its mark. While the score was still 0-0, a crucial play occurred: Singo violently slammed his crampons into the face of Gianluigi Donnarummaforcing the Parisian goalkeeper to leave the pitch (22′). Referee Letexier did not consider it necessary to exclude Singo for this dangerous gesture, a decision which called attention, especially since this same referee had expelled Amine Harit in the match between OM and PSG for a much less violent foul a few weeks earlier. This inconsistency in the arbitration decisions fueled the debates…
To read: OM: Longoria: THE BIG REVIEW: ARBITRATION, MERCATO, POGBA, RABIOT…
Letexier totally inconsistent in his decisions
PSG nevertheless quickly achieved its domination: Désiré Douéauthor of an excellent performance, opened the scoring after a superb action ofAshraf Hakimi (24′). Although Monaco reacted with a Ben Seghir penalty after a hand of Marquinhos (53′), followed by a superb goal from Plunger (60′), PSG responded instantly with Dembele’swho equalized after a rejected shot (63′). This match with twists and turns saw Ramosfreshly entered, offer the definitive advantage to his team with a superb header (84′), before Dembele’s seals the victory at the very end of the match (90+7′) with a sublime dive.
OM have 10 points and a match in hand against HAC
With this victory, PSG takes a 10 point lead over OM and Monaco, consolidating its place at the top of the ranking and putting additional pressure on its pursuers as the winter break approaches. The absence of sanctions against Singo, added to PSG’s performance, made this match a particularly notable moment of the season. OM will host the HAC on January 5 to try to get back to within 5 points of PSG!
2 – Mercato OM: Two positions targeted? Four players pushed towards the exit?
OM, faced with economic difficulties linked to a season without a European Cup, intends to rebalance its finances by making sales before considering purchases this winter, while seeking to strengthen its defense. According to La Provence, the club would be particularly interested in a left central defender and a right back, with possible departures for Meïté, Mbemba, Harit, and Brassier.
As the winter transfer window approaches, theMarseille Olympic is in a delicate economic situation, and Pablo Longoria clearly indicated his intentions at a press conference. “A season without a European Cup is difficult economically”he said, stressing that OM absolutely had to rebalance its accounts after the significant investments made last summer. According to him, the objective of this transfer window would be to “recover part of the investments made during the summer”while taking care not to endanger the cash of the club. Longoria made it clear that he wanted sell before buyingalthough this rule is not “mandatory”. OM seeks to optimize its finances without weakening the workforce, by ensuring that “the team’s important players are not for sale”. However, Marseille management remains open to opportunities regarding players lacking playing time.
ALSO READ: OM: Should we play against ASSE in the Coupe de France?
No departures from the usual holders?
According to information relayed by Provence, loon would be looking for defensive reinforcements this winter. The club would particularly like to recruit a left central defender and a right rearpositions where the Marseille squad could lack depth. Several players could leave the club to allow these arrivals, with Meïté, Mbemba, Hariet brassiere potentially leaving. These departures would be considered as part of interesting operations, particularly for players lacking playing time, with the aim of freeing up financial resources and reducing the workforce.
A left axial and a right lateral targeted?
Thus, although OM seeks to maintain a competitive squad for the second half of the season, Longoria and his team will have to juggle the financial balance of the club while capitalizing on the potential of its surplus players. The winter transfer window promises to be strategic for the short-term future of OM.
3 – The transfer of Paul Pogba to OM? This France Football journalist believes it…
The transfer of Paul Pogba to Olympique de Marseille seems more and more possible, according to comments from journalist Dave Appadoo on L’Équipe TV this Wednesday.
In an analysis full of optimism, Appadoo discusses the evolution of OM and its potential to attract big names, notably that of Pogba, in view of the current state of the club and recent successes in recruitment. “I have the impression that he is very flattered by the situation. OM has once again become the club of all possibilities. » According to Appadoo, Pogba now seems to see OM from another angle. The Marseille club, which has gone through difficult periods in recent years, has regained strong momentum, and the journalist believes that this transformation is enough to appeal to a star like Pogba.
To read: Mercato OM: Management is positioning itself on an English striker?
OM has once again become the club of all possibilities
“When you go back 4 years and you look at the squad, the possibilities of OM. We saw that Pablo Longoria had this possibility of doing sleight of hand. » Appadoo also highlights the impressive development of OM in recent years. If we compare the current situation to that of only a few years ago, the club has clearly progressed, both sportingly and economically. Pablo Longoriawith his talent for finding quality players and pulling off masterstrokes, transformed OM into an attractive club.
“In terms of star, Pogba is one of the top in France. This little music does not seem absurd. » For Appadoo, the idea of a Pogba at OM is not unrealistic. The midfielder, although going through difficult times on a personal and sporting level, remains one of the most emblematic players in French football. At OM, he would find an environment conducive to his relaunch while playing in a club with European ambitions. OM, which has already attracted players like Rabiot, By Zerbi, Greenwoodor even Hojbjerghas shown he is capable of attracting stars, and Pogba could very well be next.
“They brought in Rabiot, De Zerbi, Greenwood, Hojbjerg. We have the impression that OM has become capable of bringing in people, Pogba is not saying no I am not going to come to OM. » Appadoo cites several successful transfers to support his argument: Adrien Rabiot, Roberto DeZerbi, Mason Greenwood et Pierre-Emile Højbjerg are examples of renowned players who have recently joined OM. This shows that the club has reached a milestone in its ability to attract high-level players, which makes the idea of Pogba at OM even more plausible.
“I have the impression that this little music flatters OM. This Longoria / Benatia duo managed to establish this, this identity. This is the new writing of the history of OM, it will happen or not…” Finally, Dave Appadoo concludes by highlighting the work carried out by Pablo Longoria et Medhi Benatiawho were able to give OM a new identity. The Marseille club, with this renewed dynamic, is now part of an ambitious project. The arrival of Pogba could mark a turning point in this new era, but, as Appadoo points out, this remains to be confirmed: “It will happen or not…”.
In conclusion, although the transfer of Paul Pogba to OM is not yet certain, the elements which make this possibility credible are more and more numerous. If OM continues its momentum, attracting quality players and asserting itself as a club capable of relaunching careers, the arrival of Pogba could quickly go from dream to reality.