Marseille - Dijon preview: Sampaoli gets stuck in | OneFootball

Jorge Sampaoli has had two weeks over the international break to get his message across at Olympique de Marseille before they play host to Ligue 1 Uber Eats bottom side Dijon FCO on Sunday.

Olympique de Marseille - Dijon FCO Sunday at 21 :00 CET (1900 GMT)

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Marseille’s last game ended in Sampaoli’s first defeat as coach as OGC Nice claimed a comprehensive 3-0 victory in the Mediterranean derby at the Allianz Riviera. Their collapse left the Argentine to bemoan what he saw as “anarchy” from his new players. “What was worrying was the disunity in the team,” he said later. “We abandoned our philosophy. That is what we need to improve, acknowledge who we are and know where we are going.”

The result was a huge setback for OM and for Sampaoli, who had overseen victories in his first two games at the helm, both at home at the Orange Vélodrome. After edging Stade Rennais 1-0 on his debut, Marseille beat Stade Brestois 29 3-1. Those results lifted last season’s runners-up right back into a strong position to finish fifth and qualify for Europe. However, the Nice defeat means they spent the international break in sixth place, three points behind RC Lens.

Images of Sampaoli getting his message across loud and clear on the training ground were posted on Marseille’s Twitter feed this week, and the former Atletico Mineiro coach has been making the most of the time without a game to work with his squad, at least those who did not depart on international duty.

Highlights: Marseille lose in Mediterranean derby

Milik on his way already?

The likes of Steve Mandanda, Arkadiusz Milik and Duje Caleta-Car were all involved in World Cup qualifying action, while Boubacar Kamara was with France for the group phase of the Under-21 Euro in Hungary. Marseille fans will in particular be hoping Poland star Milik is not affected by fatigue after featuring in each of his country’s matches against Hungary, Andorra and England.

Reports this week suggested that the 27-year-old will not remain at OM beyond this season, which would be a blow given he has netted three times in seven appearances for the club so far, including the opener against Brest recently.

“We would like to keep him but given the way the transfer market is it is difficult to guarantee that,” Sampaoli said on Friday.

Dijon look on paper to be the perfect opponents for Sampaoli’s side, with the Burgundy club arriving at the Vélodrome on a dreadful run of 10 consecutive defeats, their worst ever run in the top flight. A 1-0 home loss to Stade de Reims two weeks ago was the latest setback for a club who are staring relegation in the face.

Highlights: Dijon beaten again

Dijon heading for relegation

They spent the international break a huge 13 points adrift at the foot of the table, and 14 points from outright safety, meaning it appears to be a question of when not if they will be relegated back to the second tier.

“We have to go into the eight matches we have left and play for pride and honour,” said coach David Linarès after the Reims loss.

“You know the season we are having, but this match is a great opportunity for us to put on a good showing. I love this club and I know how lucky I am to be coaching in Ligue 1. But I am mainly disappointed for everyone who loves the club. I hate losing,” he added on Friday.

Meanwhile club president Olivier Delcourt has already admitted the inevitable, telling sports daily L’Equipe: “We know it’s coming. It is not a question of when. We are already in Ligue 2.”

Several Dijon players have been away on international duty, including defender Bruno Ecuele-Manga with Gabon and striker Aboubakar Kamara, who helped Mauritania qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Marseille can welcome back Boubacar Kamara here after he missed the Nice game due to suspension, but Caleta-Car is suspended. Leonardo Balerdi could start in defence despite making headlines for the wrong reasons over the international break when he and team-mate Pol Lirola got into trouble for attending an illegal party in Spain, despite Covid-19 restrictions. Valentin Rongier, Yuto Nagatomo and Jordan Amavi are all sidelined due to injury.

Probable teams

Marseille: Mandanda (cap.) - Lirola, Balerdi, Alvaro, Perrin, Sakai – Kamara, Gueye, Thauvin – Payet, Milik.

Dijon: Racioppi - Boey, Panzo, Ecuele Manga, Coulibaly, Ngonda - Ndong, Benzia, Lautoa - Celina, Assalé.

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