Marseille Vs Nice

Marseille will return to action after the international break with a thrilling Mediterranean derby clash against Nice at the Orange Velodrome on Saturday, in what promises to be a pivotal early-season encounter in Ligue 1. The hosts, already keeping pace with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), have accumulated seven points from their first three matches, a tally shared with three other teams—Monaco, Nantes, and Lens. Marseille's superior goal difference, however, places them as PSG’s closest challengers in the early stages of the 2024-25 season.

Nice, on the other hand, enters the contest with their confidence soaring after a dominant 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Angers before the break. This triumph not only marked their first win of the campaign but also showcased their attacking prowess under new manager Franck Haise, who will be looking to build on the momentum as he aims to turn Nice into genuine contenders this season.

Marseille’s Dynamic Start Under Roberto De Zerbi

The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille was met with significant anticipation, and the Italian tactician has not disappointed thus far. Known for his exciting brand of football during his short but impactful spell at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, De Zerbi has swiftly implemented a similar philosophy at Marseille. The results have been clear—Les Olympiens have been on a goalscoring tear, netting ten goals in their first three matches of the season, with an exciting attacking style that has brought entertainment back to the Orange Velodrome.

Their most recent outing saw them dismantle Toulouse in a commanding 3-1 victory at the Stadium Municipal. English forward Mason Greenwood, who has quickly become a key player for De Zerbi, was at the heart of the action once again, scoring twice to take his tally to five goals in just three matches this season. Greenwood’s clinical finishing and intelligent movement have given Marseille a potent weapon in attack, and his partnership with fellow attackers has left opposition defenses scrambling.

In addition to Greenwood's goals, the game also saw an own goal from Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell, which effectively sealed the three points for Marseille. Although Toulouse managed to pull one back through Shavy Babicka, the outcome was never in doubt as Marseille cruised to victory, maintaining their strong start to the campaign.

However, while De Zerbi’s attacking system has been a joy to watch, it has not been without its flaws. Marseille’s defense remains a work in progress, as they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Their tendency to concede goals, particularly late on in games, has been a cause for concern, as demonstrated by their 2-1 win over Reims in their first home game of the season. Reims found the back of the net twice in that fixture, and although Marseille came away with the win, De Zerbi will be keen to shore up his backline to avoid further slip-ups.

Marseille’s defensive fragility is further highlighted by their recent home record. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five Ligue 1 matches at the Orange Velodrome, a worrying trend that dates back to the end of the previous season. Nevertheless, their attacking firepower has compensated for these defensive lapses, as they have scored multiple goals in each of their last four home matches.

With PSG already setting the pace at the top of the table, Marseille will need to tighten up at the back if they are to keep up with the relentless form of the reigning champions. A win against Nice on Saturday would not only boost their confidence but also keep them hot on PSG’s heels in the race for the title.

Nice’s Rise Under Franck Haise

Meanwhile, Nice come into the game off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Angers, which saw them produce their best performance of the season so far. After a somewhat shaky start to life under Franck Haise, which included a 2-1 defeat to Auxerre and a 1-1 draw with Toulouse, Nice finally clicked into gear with a comprehensive 4-1 win at the Stade Raymond Kopa, putting newly-promoted Angers to the sword in ruthless fashion.

Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Hicham Boudaoui got the ball rolling for Nice with two early goals in the first 25 minutes, setting the tone for what would be a dominant display. Angers did manage to pull one back through Himad Abdelli's second-half penalty, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished by a late brace from Evann Guessand, who struck twice in the closing stages to seal the win.

For Haise, this victory was a significant moment as it marked his first win in charge of Les Aiglons. After achieving remarkable success with Lens, where he established himself as one of the brightest managerial talents in French football, Haise’s appointment at Nice was seen as a major coup for the club. However, the start of the 2024-25 campaign had been far from smooth, with Nice struggling to find their rhythm in the opening two games.

The win over Angers, though, has propelled Nice into the top half of the table, and with their confidence restored, they will be aiming to cause an upset at the Orange Velodrome. Haise will be particularly pleased with his side’s attacking display, as Nice have now scored in each of their last nine Ligue 1 matches—a run stretching back to last season. They will be hoping to extend that streak to ten games when they face Marseille on Saturday.

A Historic Rivalry and Recent Encounters

The rivalry between Marseille and Nice has always been fiercely contested, and recent encounters have been no exception. Last season, Nice managed to take four points off Marseille, including a 1-0 victory at the Allianz Riviera and a 2-2 draw at the Velodrome. In fact, Nice has had the upper hand in this fixture over the past 18 months, with their most notable victory coming in February 2023, when they stunned Marseille with a 3-1 win at the Velodrome.

That victory was one of the highlights of Didier Digard’s short tenure as Nice manager, and while Digard is no longer at the helm, the memory of that triumph will no doubt provide Nice with plenty of belief as they prepare for Saturday’s showdown. Les Aiglons have proven they can be a tough nut to crack for Marseille, and with Haise now in charge, they will be looking to continue their recent good form against their Mediterranean rivals.

However, Marseille will be eager to set the record straight and put an end to Nice’s recent dominance in this fixture. With De Zerbi’s side firing on all cylinders in attack, they will fancy their chances of breaching a Nice defense that has shown vulnerability at times this season. On the flip side, Nice’s potent forward line will be relishing the opportunity to exploit Marseille’s defensive frailties, setting the stage for what could be an enthralling contest between two attack-minded sides.

Key Players to Watch

As ever, Marseille’s hopes will rest heavily on the shoulders of Mason Greenwood, who has been in scintillating form since joining the club. The English forward has taken Ligue 1 by storm, and his five goals in three games have made him one of the standout performers in the league. Greenwood’s ability to link up with his teammates, combined with his lethal finishing, makes him a constant threat in the final third, and Nice will need to be at their best to keep him quiet.

In midfield, the presence of Matteo Guendouzi will be crucial for Marseille. The Frenchman’s tireless work rate and ability to break up play make him a key figure in De Zerbi’s system, and his battle with Nice’s midfield engine will be one of the key duels to watch on Saturday.

For Nice, Evann Guessand will be the player to watch after his heroics against Angers. The 22-year-old forward has shown flashes of his potential in recent seasons, but his brace against Angers could be the spark that ignites his campaign. Guessand’s pace and movement will pose a significant threat to Marseille’s backline, especially if he is given space to run in behind.

In addition, Youssouf Ndayishimiye has been a revelation in midfield for Nice, and his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively has made him one of Haise’s most trusted players. Ndayishimiye’s versatility will be crucial as Nice look to disrupt Marseille’s attacking rhythm and launch counter-attacks of their own.

Conclusion

With both teams coming into the game in good form and full of attacking intent, Saturday’s clash between Marseille and Nice has all the ingredients to be a classic Mediterranean derby. Marseille will be looking to keep pace with PSG at the top of the table, while Nice will be aiming to build on their recent victory and continue their climb up the standings.

The outcome could ultimately hinge on which side is able to address their defensive vulnerabilities. Marseille’s leaky backline has been a concern despite their impressive attacking displays, while Nice’s defense will need to stand firm against one of the most potent forward lines in the league.

As the two sides prepare to lock horns at the Orange Velodrome, one thing is certain—goals are almost guaranteed, and fans can expect a high-octane affair between two teams eager to make their mark in the early stages of the Ligue 1 season.