Spectacle, drunkenness, madness, so many superlatives can sum up the start of the season for Olympique de Marseille, runner-up to Paris SG in Ligue 1. However, in a style of play marked by the desire to permanently create imbalance, the OM's defense is doing well. Both solid and proactive with the ball, the Marseille rearguard plays a major role in the playing philosophy advocated by Jorge Sampaoli.
To discover
Ligue 1 fixtures and results
League 1 standings
Defensive rigor
The Argentinian technician is known for his attacking spirit and his willingness to continuously put pressure on the opposing team. A given which implies having a high block and which can leave large spaces behind the defense. To meet the demands of the former Albiceleste coach, a defender must be able to handle depth and defend while advancing. Data that prompted Pablo Longoria to be active in this sector of play. Leonardo Balerdi, loaned last year by Borussia Dortmund was transferred definitively against 8 million euros. To support him, William Saliba was loaned 1 year by Arsenal. Finally, Luan Peres, the chef's surprise arrives from Santos.
In a hybrid system that can take the form of a 4-4-2 without the ball, and a 3-4-3 with the ball, these three defenders ensure the defensive strength of the team.
In the phases without the ball, Luan Peres becomes left side, while Balerdi and Saliba occupy the central hinge.
Endowed with natural physical qualities, the three defenders manage to fill the gaps.
Second defense in Ligue 1 with only 5 goals conceded, OM have not conceded any goals for 3 days.
Symbol of a defensive animation that works well, Marseille is the team
with the lowest
"
goals expected against
" with 4.73 xGA (statistical data which assesses the percentage of chance of scoring a goal on a strike) since the start of the match. the season.
Relaunch forward
In Jorge Sampaoli's system, defenders must also bring real added value in their recovery. The objective is to attack the open spaces, to take risks in his choice of passes. This can take the form of quick side passes to switch the opponent's block from side to side and create spaces but also play forward by making vertical passes to find the offensive players between the lines or in the depth. This can undermine an opposing pressing but also a compact block that defends very low.
In the presence of the trio Saliba, Balerdi and Peres, the Argentinian ensures high-flying balls, which allows to bypass the opposing pressing and find the offensive players demarcated. Libero, Leonardo Balerdi, whimsical, has a disconcerting facility to carry out vertical passes which break several lines. At only 22 years old, this great confidence can sometimes thwart him, but the Argentinian shows a lot of personality in his game, which fits perfectly with the manager's demands.
Guilty of careless mistakes on a few occasions, the young defender did not always convince all the supporters but always had the confidence of his coach.
“
He's a player who has great natural defensive potential.
[...] But since he arrived at OM, over time, he has found a place where he can have continuity in his work, with his abilities, to continue to progress.
He is a player who has great future value to develop.
"
Luan Peres excels at dribbling and can throw off an opponent's pressing on his own.
He can embark on solitary raids full of ease and elegance.
Very enterprising with the ball, the left-hander is also ambitious about the club's goals.
Saliba, the unfailing serenity is the most sober of the three in this register, but is very fair in his discounts. The young 20-year-old French defender has already won over his coach. “
He's a player with a lot of talent, not only in his marking but also on the restart, with the ball to the foot. A future great of French football.
"
In this line, Pol Lirola, transferred definitively during the summer transfer window, is an offensive weapon which has already proved its worth last year.
Right piston when Marseille has the ball, the Spanish side is a very hard-hitting and skilful counter-attacker in his centers.
Author of 2 goals and 3 assists since February, Lirola is an essential cog in the Sampaoli collective.
Like the philosophy of his coach, the defense of OM is looking forward, whether to defend or to attack.
Young and talented, the rearguard still makes a few mistakes but is already showing great promise.