Marseille fear significant ankle sprain for Quentin Merlin | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille have been plunged back into a defensive crisis. Already without the unregistered Ulisses García, who is ineligible to compete in OM’s UEFA Europa League encounters, Quentin Merlin (21) was forced off with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

The incident happened late in the first half of Marseille’s Europa League first leg against Benfica at the Estadio Da Luz on Thursday. Les Phocéens were 1-0 down to the Portuguese side at the time and things got worse when Merlin’s ankle got caught in the surface and twisted. The France youth international immediately perceived the seriousness of the injury. The stretcher was quickly brought on and Merlin was removed from the field.

Later in the games, Chancel Mbemba, who had only just recovered from a knee contusion, also went off with an injury as OM succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in the first leg. One player that won’t be competing in next week’s return leg at the Vélodrome is Merlin, whose season may now be over.

Post-match, Marseille manager Jean-Louis Gasset gave the first indications regarding Merlin’s injury. The interim coach has stated that the initial signs are that the France U21 international has suffered a serious ankle sprain. The left-back left the stadium in Lisbon on crutches, according to RMC Sport.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle