Three defeats in four matches: Genesio severely questioned after Rennes-OM

Marseille suffered a third consecutive defeat in four Ligue 1 matchdays, losing 1-0 away at Stade Rennais on Friday evening. In his post-match press conference, Bruno Genesio made remarks that did not fail to provoke reaction.

“Since the start of the season, the situation has been sufficiently complicated and complex. We’ve had to do a lot of improvising so far. So it will take time. Will we have it? I don’t know,” said the Marseille manager, looking downcast. Comments that were quickly perceived as a form of resignation by observers of the championship.

Journalist Hugo Guillemet chose to respond directly to Genesio. “With all the respect I have for you, because I know that as a person, you have left your mark on people at all the clubs you’ve been to. But here, at Marseille, I can no longer hear this little tune ‘we’re doing with what we have, it’s too difficult’. No. OM still has the second-highest wage bill in the championship behind PSG.”

Guillemet also targeted specific tactical choices, notably the starting of Angel Gomes in a number 10 role. “Stop playing with a number 10, Angel Gomes, who brings nothing. Play with a number 6 who could be Hojbjerg and who would protect the defence,” he insisted, lamenting a team “completely disjointed and pierced through midfield” and a lineup, tactical system and instructions that repeat without results.

Genesio himself had seemed aware of the need to communicate better about his project: “OM is a team that must win matches and be in the upper part of the table, but for that we perhaps need to explain things more clearly if we want to have time.”

Eleventh in the standings, Marseille now faces a particularly demanding schedule: a trip to Turkey to face Besiktas in the Ligue Europa on 17 September, then hosting Paris Saint-Germain at the Vélodrome on 20 September.