Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa has taken responsibility for his side's dismal end to the season.
OM led Ligue 1 for the early part of the campaign but have faded rapidly and trail leaders Paris St Germain by 14 points ahead of Friday evening's game at struggling Metz.
More tellingly, they are three points outside the final European qualifying place held by St Etienne as a consequence of four successive defeats in April - most recently a humbling 5-3 reverse against struggling Lorient in which their former player Jordan Ayew scored twice.
Asked if that run of results had ruined Marseille's season, Bielsa told the club's website: ``Of course, the end of the league (campaign) means the season as a whole has fallen short of what it deserved.
``This team has faced an avalanche of adversities, an infinity of adversities.
``I did not manage to resist that but the responsibility is on me and not on the players.''
Metz coach Albert Cartier acknowledged Marseille have ``come off the road''.
But he added in an interview carried on Marseille's website: ``Everyone has difficult moments. Marseille have quality players at their disposal who are capable of making the difference. We will see.''
Metz have greater difficulties of their own to concern themselves with, lying second-bottom of the table and eight points adrift of the three teams above the relegation zone.
Cartier will not give up hope of survival and said: ``It's feasible. There are four matches left, three at home and one at Monaco, and we are eight points behind the first safe position. It is not over.''
Metz will have to manage their escape without defender Guido Milan, who will be out for around six months after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee against Paris St Germain on Tuesday.
For Marseille, Abdelaziz Barrada has finally returned to training for the first time since a groin operation in February but will not be ready to feature.
Benjamin Mendy, though, was described by Bielsa as being ``in good health'' after crashing his car at the club's training ground.
Mendy responded to criticism of his attitude following the bizarre accident by writing on Twitter: ``The only thing I have let slip is the wheel of my car. To all the sceptics, see you at the ground this weekend.''
Probable Lineups
© WhoScored.com
Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision
Goals
Assists
(6.6) 6.8 Average Ratings 7.1 (6.8)
25.8 Average Age 26.4
181.4 Average Height (cm) 181.5
(0.9) 1.1 Shots pg 1.3 (1.1)
(53%) 51% Aerial Duel Success 54% (53%)
(0.8) 0.5 Dribbles pg 1 (1)
(1.8) 1.7 Tackles pg 1.5 (1.7)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Ligue 1.
Missing Players
| Player | Reason | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romain Rocchi | Out | 6.78 | |
| Jonathan Rivierez | Out | 7.14 | |
| Kwame Nsor | Out | 6 | |
| Sylvain Marchal | Out | 6.81 | |
| Guido Milan | Out | 6.88 | |
| Juan Manuel Falcón | Out | 6.34 |
| Player | Reason | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brice Dja Djédjé | Out | 7.04 | |
| Jérémy Morel | Out | 7.22 | |
| Abdel Barrada | Out | 6.44 |
Team News
- FC Metz remain without injured quintet Romain Rocchi, Jonathan Rivierez, Kwame Nsor, Sylvain Marchal and Juan Manuel Falcon ahead of the reception of Marseille.
- They were joined on the sidelines by Guido Milan for the rest of the season after the centre-back sustained a knee injury in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes.
- Kévin Lejeune could be replaced by Gaëtan Bussmann at left-back after he endured a tough game against PSG in midweek.
Match Facts
| Metz have failed to win 20 of their last 22 matches in Ligue 1. Marseille have lost their last 4 matches in Ligue 1.There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Metz's last 4 home games in Ligue 1.Marseille have won their last 3 matches against Metz in all competitions.Metz have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Marseille in all competitions.Metz have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 home matches in Ligue 1.Marseille have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Metz in all competitions. Match Forecast
* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characteristics.
FC Metz vs Olympique Marseille 01.05.2015 – Ligue 1
FC Metz vs. Olympique Marseille / Ligue 1 – In France this weekend we have all the matches in the 35th round of Ligue 1, but already on Friday we have one interesting duel between the penultimate Metz and the fifth Marseille, so it is completely clear that both teams need points at this points at the moment. Otherwise their autumnal duel at Velodrome ended with a safe home victory of 3-1, while they before that met in 2008, when the team of Marseille celebrated in this same competition two times. Begins: 01.05.2015 – 20:30 CET
FC Metz
Al this means that the hosts will this time have to do everything to outdone their selves if they want to finally end the dominance of Marseille, despite the fact that the guests are ina big result crisis. On the other hand, the team of Metz has last week been defeated by the leading PSG away (3-1), while they before tha had a series of two victories and two draws, so they can be optimistic before this duel with Marseille.
Otherwise, Metz has after that series started believing that they can stay in the elite ran, but everything is still only theoretic given that the 18-ranked Reims currently has eight points behind. However, they have pointed out that they will not surrender until there is a slightest chance for something like that and their coach Cartier announced a very aggressive and fierce approach in this match with Marseille. As for their team for this match, goalkeeper Carrasso, defenders Rivierez and Marchal, midfielders Rocchi and Krivets and striker Falcon are all out of action due to injuries.
Probable lineups FC Metz: Mezui – Metanire, Choplin, Palomino, Bussmann – N’Daw, Sassi – Sarr, Malouda, N’Gbakoto – Maiga
Olympique Marseille
Unlike Metz which has significantly improved its form in the finish of the season, the team of Marseille is currently in a big result crisis, so they are awaiting this match after four consecutive defeats. Namely, coach Bielsa’s players have lost a home by PSG and Llorent, and away against Bordeaux and Nantes, which significantly reduced their chances to perform in the Champions League next season, given that they are currently five points behind the third Monaco.
Besides, the placement in Europe is not that certain anymore, given that the sixth Bordeaux has only two points less, so they simply have no right to make mistake in this duels with the already written off Metz. On the other hand, Bilesa is very concerned by their weak game in defence, so they in the last match with Llorent received even five goals, while they after the injured Mendy also lost the second defender Dja Djedje due to injury. That is why we now expect a lot of changes in the last line, while they should perform with their strongest forces in attack.
Probable lineups Olympique Marseille: Mandanda – Fanni, Romao, N’Koulou, Morel – Lemina, Imbula – Thauvin, Payet, Ayew – Gignac
FC Metz vs. Olympique Marseille PICK
Given that both teams lately achieve, but also receive a lot of goals, it is completely clear that their mutual duel can offer one very attractive and efficient football match.
Pick: over 2.5 goals
Stake: 5/10
|
France
- Marcelo Bielsa will need to make adjustments to his defence following Friday's 5-3 home defeat to Lorient, with Brice Dja Djédjé and Jérémy Morel sidelined through injury and suspension, respectively.
- While Rod Fanni could switch to right-back if necessary, Jacques-Alaixys Romao will most likely start on the right side of defence against Metz.
- Romain Alessandrini may start in place of Florian Thauvin, who has disappointed of late.
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