The Olympique de Marseille suffered a bitter defeat on the 29th day of Ligue 1, tilting heavily against AS Monaco on the score of 3-0. This meeting highlighted the persistent fragility of the Marseille team, particularly in terms of defensive strength. Coach De Zerbi’s tactical device, aligning Amir Murillo as a pillar of a three-way defence alongside Kondogbia and Garcia, failed to contain the Monegasque offensive, despite an initial period when OM posted an encouraging ball possession. The whole defensive sector has proved to be insufficient, allowing dangerous opportunities and allowing Monaco to take on the ascendant.

The Panamanian Amir Murillo, whose performance was severely judged by observers, embodied the difficulties faced by the Marseille defence. Although he was not directly responsible for the opening of the score, he delivered a complicated afternoon, marked by missed revivals, including a particularly critical one, and a lack of clear pace. The media, including La Provence, Maxifoot and FootMercato, unanimously stressed its inability to effectively contain opposing offensives, highlighting its errors in placement and its late interventions. His return from injury did not mask the technical and tactical gaps that plague the OM defensive area.

This defeat, coupled with the disappointing performances of several players, raises questions about the ability of Olympique de Marseille to achieve its goals in Ligue 1, including the qualification for the Champions League. It is imperative that the team correct the shot in order to correct a worrying situation and regain the confidence needed to meet the challenges ahead. The need for collective questioning and a significant improvement in defensive play is now more urgent than ever.