3-5-2, the rebirth of Cuisance and Henrique: the promising debut of Jorge Sampaoli

Upon disembarking in the Phocaean city, expectations were high around Jorge Sampaoli.

The Argentine coach, who is described as close to Marcelo Bielsa's game ideas, arrives with the aim of relaunching a very disappointing season in the eyes of Marseille fans.

From the height of his meter 67 and carried by offensive ideas, the 61-year-old coach won his first two league games against Rennes (1-0) then Brest (3-1), a first for a coach of the OM since 2012 (Elie Baup), while infusing a new positive dynamic in an Olympique de Marseille lacking in confidence. 

A nice birthday present for the Argentinian coach who turns 61 today! # OMSB29pic.twitter.com / IyloOfeDcZ

- Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@ Ligue1UberEats) March 13, 2021

Starting with his paid coaching: simultaneous entries from Luis Henrique (19 years old) and Mickaël Cuisance (21 years old).

The Brazilian distributed 3 assists in two games, the French scored his first two goals of the season, including one decisive against Rennes.

This rebirth for two players in great difficulty symbolizes this Marseille renewal.

The first had not yet been decisive while the second had only one assist.

Jorge Sampaoli's choices led to two victories in the final minutes: a convincing success for his debut.

The efforts of OM players pay off

These end of thrilling meetings that one could call the "Sampaoli Time" are materialized by a new offensive game plan on the part of the Argentine coach and his staff.

Very fond of video in training, the new OM coach did not hesitate to bet everything on the attack to seek victory rather than keep a draw.

By this approach, he seems to be breaking away from the vision of his predecessor André Villas-Boas.

“As with Marcelo (Bielsa), we know that it can tip over to one side or the other because we don't stop.

The coach wants us to attack, it leads to this kind of match and these three goals ”analyzed Dimitri Payet just after the match.

Since the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, the @ OM_Officiel has won a series of victories! # OMSB29pic.twitter.com / MFjlIHP4th

- Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@ Ligue1UberEats) March 13, 2021

To do this, Sampaoli reorganized the team in 3-5-2.

He notably took Leonardo Balerdi off the bench to place him alongside Alavo and Caleta-Car in a three-way defense and moved Florian Thauvin into the midfield.

A new positioning that allowed him to score his first goal against Brest since February 3 (2-2, against Lens).

In the game, players do not yet respond exactly to the ideas of their coach.

Sampaoli wants possession of the ball, an area in which OM are struggling as well as boundless energy to harass their opponents, such as their incessant activity on the sidelines.

As he recalled in a press conference: “It is a victory acquired with energy, with will.

Now we have to start improving in the game. "

Through a grinta of which only Argentines have the secret, Jorge Sampaoli brings serenity to the volcanic atmosphere of this Marseille season. 

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