Marseille Faces Defensive Challenges Ahead of Champions League Clash with Newcastle

omidbasir- Marseille approaches their midweek Champions League encounter with Newcastle under considerable pressure, compounded by recent injury setbacks. The club has confirmed that defender Nayef Aguerd will miss the match due to ongoing pubalgia, effectively ending any hopes for his late return. The Moroccan international, who also missed the recent 5-1 victory against Nice, has been struggling with groin pain for several weeks. Medical staff have emphasized the need for rest, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon.

Aguerd’s absence significantly limits Marseille’s defensive options at a crucial juncture as they seek to build momentum in European competition. After joining the Moroccan national team earlier this month, he was swiftly withdrawn from consideration for friendly matches, having been advised to rest for at least two weeks. He has privately acknowledged his inability to continue playing through the pain, prompting caution from both his club and national team.

Adding to Marseille’s woes is the situation concerning Argentine center-back, Lisandro Medina. Already sidelined for nearly two months due to a right ankle sprain, he has experienced a relapse in his recovery and will not return until January. Coach Roberto De Zerbi addressed the issue directly: “Medina has had a relapse. He should be out for another month. He is difficult to replace due to his character and physical attributes.”

Medina’s injury troubles have plagued him since the season’s onset; he sustained an injury to his other ankle in August, delaying his debut until mid-September. His leadership, aggression, and ability to advance the ball from defense are critical traits that Marseille must now compensate for during their busiest period of the campaign.

With both Aguerd and Medina unavailable, De Zerbi may heavily rely on Benjamin Pavard, CJ Egan-Riley, and Leonardo Balerdi, a combination that may prove inadequate given the stakes of the upcoming match.

Additionally, Marseille continues to miss two key attacking players, Amine Gouiri and Hamed Junior Traore. Gouiri has been out since early October following surgery for a dislocated right shoulder, an injury exacerbated during international duty with Algeria. His rehabilitation at Aspetar is ongoing, but he is not expected to return until January 2026, significantly impacting the team’s offensive options.

Traore’s situation is equally concerning. The Ivorian has been sidelined since September with a recurring thigh injury. Despite efforts to resume light training, the pain persists. De Zerbi recently expressed frustration, noting that “things are not progressing well,” leading the club to reassign a physiotherapist involved in Traore’s initial rehabilitation due to concerns over the recovery process.

In light of these injury challenges affecting key forwards like Gouiri and Traore, De Zerbi is adapting by relying more on players such as Timothy Weah and Mason Greenwood, adjusting their roles and formations as necessary. Weah’s versatility has been particularly valuable, allowing him to fill gaps on the right flank, whether as a winger or wing-back, which has been crucial for maintaining Marseille’s attacking threat amidst these absences.

Despite these adversities, Marseille demonstrated against Nice their capability for strong performances. However, the Champions League presents a different level of intensity, and without these key players, De Zerbi must once again emphasize tactical flexibility and squad depth to navigate the challenges ahead.