Marseille Aim to Bounce Back Against Unpredictable Lorient
Marseille and Lorient are about to meet in Ligue 1, and this match carries a lot of intrigue for both sides. On paper, Marseille are clear favorites, but their rocky start to the season has raised plenty of questions. Under Roberto De Zerbi, who guided them to second place last season, the team has looked shaky in the opening weeks, losing two of their first three games. Those defeats weren’t just narrow losses—they revealed weaknesses at the back and a worrying lack of control, even in situations where Marseille should have been dominant. For example, against Rennes, they played with a man advantage for nearly an hour but still couldn’t take charge, while Lyon comfortably outshot and outplayed them before the break.
The timing of this clash makes it even more interesting. Marseille have a packed schedule ahead, including a Champions League meeting with Real Madrid and the always fiery Classique against PSG. Because of that, this Lorient match has the feel of a must-win to restore confidence. The good news for Marseille fans is that several high-profile new signings are set to make their debuts. Nayef Aguerd and Benjamin Pavard are expected to form a new-look defensive pairing, Facundo Medina could slot in at left-back, and Matt O’Riley—on loan from Brighton—may start in midfield. With so many fresh faces, the Velodrome crowd will be eager to see if these reinforcements can steady the ship.
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Lorient, meanwhile, are the definition of unpredictable. Promoted from Ligue 2, they’ve already shown both their best and worst sides in just three games. On one hand, they demolished Rennes 4-0 in a derby, albeit against nine men after two early red cards. On the other, they suffered a humiliating 7-1 home defeat to Lille, with all the goals coming in the second half. That inconsistency has been a theme for them, especially when playing away. Last season in Ligue 2, their home record was dominant, but their away form was far less convincing, and this year’s first trip on the road ended in defeat.
Still, there are reasons to think Lorient can cause problems. Tosin Aiyegun, playing from the right wing, has been lively, averaging close to three shots per game. He’s been one of their brightest sparks in attack and will test a Marseille defense that has been anything but solid. Yet historically, this fixture has belonged to Marseille. They’ve won nine of the last ten meetings, scoring 27 goals in that span while conceding just eight.
So, what can be expected on Friday night at the Velodrome? Marseille’s home form last season was strong, and the bookmakers have them down as clear favorites, but their recent performances have not matched their reputation. Lorient, on the other hand, have already proven they can swing wildly between brilliance and collapse. This makes the game a fascinating clash: Marseille needing stability, Lorient chasing respect, and both sides eager to make a statement before the season really takes shape.
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