Marseille Vs Rennes

As the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season draws to a close, Marseille have a golden opportunity to cement second place in the standings when they host Rennes at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday night. A victory in their final fixture would not only solidify their position as the best of the rest behind Paris Saint-Germain but also mark a triumphant end to what has been a successful campaign under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. The stakes are high for Les Olympiens, who are aiming to complete their first league double over Rennes in nearly two decades, having already secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in January at Roazhon Park.

Marseille’s return to the Champions League after a two-year absence was confirmed last weekend following a hard-fought 3-1 win against Le Havre. That result ensured a top-three finish with a game to spare, a significant achievement for De Zerbi in his debut season at the helm. The match itself was a tense affair, with the scoreline level at 1-1 until the final five minutes when Mason Greenwood, the team’s leading scorer, broke the deadlock with his 20th goal of the season across all competitions. Amine Gouiri then put the result beyond doubt with a late strike in stoppage time, his second of the match, sealing a crucial three points for Marseille.

For De Zerbi, guiding Marseille back into Europe’s elite competition represents the fulfillment of his primary objective. While challenging PSG’s domestic dominance was always going to be a monumental task, securing second place would be a commendable feat, particularly given the competitive nature of this season’s Ligue 1. The Italian manager has instilled an attacking philosophy that has seen Marseille flourish in front of goal, netting 70 times in 33 league matches—their highest tally at this stage of a campaign since the 1970-71 season, when they scored 74. This season’s goal output already ranks as the third-best of the 21st century for Marseille, trailing only the 76 goals scored in 2014-15 and the 80 in 2017-18, both of which were achieved across 38-game seasons.

Heading into Saturday’s clash, Marseille can take confidence from their strong home record against Rennes, having kept clean sheets in three of their last four encounters at the Stade Velodrome. Additionally, they have developed a habit of finishing seasons strongly, suffering just one defeat in their final league match across the last 12 campaigns (winning seven and drawing four). This trend bodes well as they seek to cap off an impressive year with another victory.

On the other side, Rennes arrive in Marseille with far less at stake, their season having fallen well short of expectations. After a run of four consecutive top-six finishes between 2020 and 2023, Les Rouge et Noirs have struggled over the past two campaigns and now face the prospect of ending the season in the bottom half of the table. Despite significant investment in the squad—over €150 million spent across the last two transfer windows, including a €74.5 million outlay in January alone—many of their new signings have failed to deliver.

The club’s sporting director, Frederic Massara, who oversaw these transfers, departed by mutual consent on Thursday, with Loic Desire, currently Strasbourg’s head of recruitment, expected to take over. However, head coach Habib Beye remains in charge and will be looking to finish the season positively after last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Nice. That win, secured by goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo either side of halftime, was Beye’s eighth in 14 matches since taking charge, offering a glimmer of optimism amid an otherwise disappointing campaign.

Kalimuendo, Rennes’ top scorer with 18 goals this season, will be key to any hopes of an upset against Marseille. The visitors have historically performed well on the final day, winning four and drawing two of their last seven season-ending fixtures in Ligue 1. However, with little left to play for beyond pride, motivation could be a factor against a Marseille side determined to secure second place.

As the curtain falls on the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, this match encapsulates the contrasting fortunes of two clubs heading in different directions. For Marseille, it represents a chance to solidify their resurgence under De Zerbi and lay down a marker for next season’s Champions League campaign. For Rennes, it is an opportunity to salvage some pride before what promises to be a crucial summer of rebuilding.

The tactical battle between De Zerbi and Beye will be fascinating to watch, with Marseille’s fluid attacking play likely to test Rennes’ defensive resolve. Greenwood, Gouiri, and the rest of Marseille’s forward line will look to exploit any vulnerabilities, while Kalimuendo and his teammates will aim to play the role of spoilers.

Beyond the immediate implications, this match also serves as a reflection of the broader dynamics in French football. PSG’s continued dominance has made the race for second place increasingly significant, with clubs like Marseille, Monaco, and Lille battling for the remaining Champions League spots. Meanwhile, Rennes’ struggles highlight the challenges of sustaining success in a league where financial disparities are growing.

In summary, Saturday’s encounter is more than just a final-day fixture—it is a microcosm of ambition, disappointment, and the relentless pursuit of progress. Marseille will be desperate to finish on a high, while Rennes will look to end a turbulent season with a statement performance. The Stade Velodrome will undoubtedly provide a fitting stage for what promises to be a compelling conclusion to the Ligue 1 campaign.