Marseille's Setback and Controversial Red Card

In the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round, Marseille suffered a defeat on Panathinaikos' home turf. However, the match was not without controversy as Marseille midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia received a red card. Many have questioned why Kondogbia was not replaced before his dismissal.

Building a Strong Team under Marcelino

Marseille's defeat dealt a blow to their hopes of reaching the group stages of the Champions League. Under the guidance of new coach Marcelino, the team is still in the early stages of development. Despite this, Marcelino believes they should be prepared for such challenges. He acknowledges that the team has only been together for a little over a month, but their mentality is to work hard and achieve positive results. Marcelino states that they have thoroughly analyzed their opponents and are well aware of their strengths.

Progress and Adaptation

When asked about the progress of his players and their assimilation of his methods, Marcelino expresses satisfaction. He mentions that both he and the players have had to adapt to one another. Marcelino points to their previous match against Bayer as a solid foundation for their project. He emphasizes their optimism and ambition, while also maintaining respect for their opponents. Marcelino believes they have a strong group, both in terms of character and footballing abilities. However, he stresses the importance of reaching the group stages of the Champions League, as it was one of their main objectives upon his arrival at Marseille.

The Importance of the Captaincy

Regarding the captaincy, Marcelino explains that he does not personally choose the captain. Instead, the players have the autonomy to select their own captain. He praises Samuel Gigot, describing him as a highly significant player for Marseille. Marcelino highlights Gigot's seriousness, work ethic, and qualities as a teammate.

The Unanswered Question of Kondogbia's Replacement

As for the decision not to replace Kondogbia before his red card, no clear explanation is provided in the given articles. This has become a point of speculation and discussion among fans and pundits. However, it is worth noting that Kondogbia's dismissal had a significant impact on the outcome of the match. Marseille will now need to regroup and focus on the second leg in order to try and overturn the deficit.

Words of the day

dismissal : expulsion

autonomy : autonomie