مرسيليا finished as الدوري الفرنسي 1 runners-up in 2024-25, booking them return tickets to the دوري أبطال أوروبا. They held their own for long periods in a European opener with ريال مدريد at Santiago Bernabeu, with USMNT star Tim Weah firing them in front before going on to suffer an agonising 2-1 defeat against 10 men.
De Zerbi’s team were able to get over the line in their latest outing, with Nayef Aguerd netting the only goal of the game inside five minutes against PSG – in a match that was delayed by 24 hours due to stormy weather conditions in southern فرنسا.
De Zerbi showed plenty of passion in that contest, as he was shown a late red card for arguing with the match officials, and wants to see his players prove that they are capable of challenging for a domestic crown.
De Zerbi told reporters of the need to build on victory over PSG, who were without Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele: “This victory should not give anything more to the team. The defeat in Madrid brought us a lot, made us realise that we have strong players. The squad is strong, we know that, but Friday will be even more important than tonight’s match. I have already threatened the players, they know it. If we beat Paris and then tap dance against ستراسبورغ, it means we are not a great team.”
Marseille have already suffered two defeats through five Ligue 1 fixtures this season, leaving them sixth in the table on nine points. Strasbourg are one of four sides to have picked up 12 points so far, meaning that they will present Greenwood and Co with another stern test at Stade de la Meinau on Friday.
