This is an additional success to be credited to the new coach Roberto De Zerbi in this encouraging start to the season for OM: the resplendent form of former Nantes player Quentin Merlin, who moved from the shadows to the limelight this summer.
After some hesitant first steps and a nasty ankle injury that delayed his adaptation to a crazy context, the Olympian left-back, starting alongside the Dane Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for the first match of the season, has made a very convincing start to the championship in a hybrid role that suits this versatile player perfectly.
“We have the capacity to hook them”
Summoned with the French hopefuls for the first gathering of Gérald Baticle since he succeeded Thierry Henry, Quentin Merlin spoke at a press conference on Tuesday about this new role which allows him to reconnect with his first loves and the dynamics of his club, runner-up to PSG, a rival that the Marseillais hope to be able to tease.
“It’s not far. Our goal is to go as far as possible, we have ambitions, with a Champions League objective. If we can go and tease PSG… They are not invincible, even if they remain a good team. We have the capacity to cause them problems, to hang on to them, but we remain humble. It’s up to us to perform, to continue to have results, to be consistent.”
A first Classic at the Vélodrome on October 27
Olympique de Marseille have won two spectacular games against Brest (5-1) and Toulouse (3-1) but have also dropped points against Stade de Reims, while PSG have had a clean sheet with three wins in as many games and thirteen goals scored. The two teams will meet for the first time this season on October 27 at the Vélodrome.
The last match between the two teams had already taken place at the Vel’, for a victory for PSG marked by the celebration of defiance of the Portuguese Gonçalo Ramos on the goal of the break. The Parisian striker, decidedly very inspired against OM, had scored a double in the first leg. Convalescent after his ankle operation, Ramos should not be available for this first Classic of the season.
- RMC Sport
