Since the start of the calendar year, Olympique de Marseille has been chasing a rebound.
Not counting their success against Thionville, resident of Nationale 3, in the Coupe de France (0-1), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's teammates have not won a single match in 2024, both in the Cup and in the Championship. (4 draws, 2 defeats).
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Calendar and results Ligue 1
Ligue 1 ranking
However, since the resumption of the championship after the winter transfer window, Olympique de Marseille can count on numerous reinforcements, including Quentin Merlin, Faris Moumbagna and even Luis Henrique, who has returned.
Arriving as a “nugget”, Henrique disappointed
Arriving in 2020 under André Villas-Boas in Bouches-du-Rhône, Luis Henrique was considered
“a nugget”
at the time of his arrival.
At that time, Olympique de Marseille recruited him to play number 9, alongside Dario Benedetto.
However, a few weeks later, the Portuguese tactician (who ran for the presidency of FC Porto in January 2024, Editor's note), affirmed that "
he
was wrong about the role of the Brazilian
"
, rather destined to play in a position of winger.
Read alsoLigue 1: pathetic on and off the field, OM loses and gets lost
His two seasons spent at Olympique de Marseille were disappointing, both for his lack of contribution to the game and his shortcomings in the final gesture (1 goal and 6 assists in 49 matches).
Luis Henrique spent the following season in Brazil, at Botafogo in the form of a one and a half year loan (59 games, 6 goals, 4 assists) rather inconclusive, “
average
” according to his agent.
A rumor sent him permanently to Botafogo this winter, for a check for six million euros, but the 22-year-old finally made his return with the Olympians, in dire need of a winger this season.
In competition with Ndiaye and Sarr
Fast and technical, with an excellent ability to keep the ball, Luis Henrique has undeniable qualities but lacks playing intelligence, does not dare one-on-ones that he could win with his technical skills.
Competing with Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr on the Olympian wings, Luis Henrique has made a place for himself in the Olympian eleven since his return, with four starts in seven matches.
It could once again be used to try to destabilize Bradley Locko and Kenny Lala, the two full-backs from Stade Brestois, losing pace (3 draws, 1 defeat) and now fourth in Ligue 1.
OM's opening score against Shakhtar with a pass from Henrique for Clauss
At 22, will Luis Henrique finally experience the destiny that was promised to him when he arrived at Olympique de Marseille?
This is undoubtedly what the Brazilian and the Marseille fans are hoping for, while Olympique de Marseille are in 8th place in Ligue 1, eight points from third place, synonymous with the Champions League and currently held by Monaco (38 points).