Gattuso, is that enough?

Olympique de Marseille lost (1-0) to Lyon on Sunday, during the last poster of the 20th day of Ligue 1. It has been four and a half months since Gennaro Gattuso was appointed coach of the Marseille club. After a logical period of observation and human and tactical challenges to overcome, time is no longer easy. If, however, he was at one time – and it is not only his fault – is he still the man for the job?

At Groupama Stadium, it was again an OM without ideas, without creativity, or very marked playing intentions, who lost. The observation is quite clear: this team is not “playful” and creates an abnormally low number of chances. OL were 15th, entrenched in their own half after Alexandre Lacazette’s opener (1-0, 37th), and left possession of the ball to the Phocaeans. Marseille ended up with the leather for 62% of the time, but mostly without knowing what to do other than soporific circulation and returns to the rear. Only 8 shots, most of them triggered after the entry into play of Jonathan Clauss during the second act, and only one on target: this is the sad record of Samuel Gigot’s teammates. Worst: Marseille has 29 points after 20 days of Ligue 1 this season. This is his lowest total at this stage of the competition since the 2015-2016 financial year, when Michel was the coach of this team.

After 20 matches, OM have neither certainty nor a real style of play

Supporters can almost regret the period when Gattuso, out of pragmatism, moved to a system with three central defenders. Once again in 4-3-3, the system dear to the Italian, the Marseillais did not seem comfortable expressing themselves. If we add to this what also looks like a lack of positive aggressiveness and desire to attack, it is impossible not to wonder what Gennaro Gattuso can still bring to OM. The choice to establish Bamo Meïté as right-back, the vagueness of the midfield with three players who have never played together, the time taken to associate another attacker, Faris Moumbagna, with a Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang ghostly… The former AC Milan defensive midfielder seems to be navigating by sight and has very few certainties. This is obviously abnormal after 20 days. His players, Leonardo Balerdi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, are demanding more verticality, direct forward play. Will he make this offer to them?

On the evening of this 20th day, Marseille is 8th, 6 points from 4th qualifying place for the Champions League play-offs. And little optimism to offer his supporters, who must think back, nostalgically, to the short but intense 2022-2023 season with Igor Tudor.