The Fédération française de football has appointed Jérémy Pignard as the referee who will be in charge of the start of the Ligue 1 season 2025-2026. This Friday evening, he will be at the helm of the crucial match between Stade Rennais and Olympique de Marseille. Pignard, 37 years old, has significant experience at this level and an interesting record for OM, with 15 arbitrations and only three defeats for the Marseille club. The previous season, he even supervised two OM victories, including a notable 4-2 against Rennes. On the Breton side, the score was more mixed, with three defeats in nine matches under his leadership, although he arbitrated their victory against Marseille in the Coupe de France 2024. This duel promises an exciting start to the season, with OM under the direction of Roberto De Zerbi and an ambitious Rennes, and the question of the referee’s potential influence on the result.

The Olympique de Marseille is entering the 2025-2026 season with a renewed team, keeping its key players like Geronimo Rulli, Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood, while welcoming new talents such as Facundo Medina, André Gomes and Estevão Paixão. Despite this promising composition, the club still needs to strengthen certain sectors of its team to aim for the podium. Central defence remains a priority, with the search for an additional defender to support Facundo Medina. Negotiations to recruit Joel Ordóñez from Club Bruges are under way, but financial difficulties could delay this signature. The club therefore hopes to make sales, notably those of Azzeine Ounahi, Neal Maupay and Faris Moumbagna, to ensure its financial competitiveness.

Another crucial need concerns the left flank of the defense, where Facundo Medina can evolve, but where Ulisses Garcia does not seem to offer the guarantee of a full season. The recruitment of a specialist left side, capable of bringing both offensive percussion and defensive strength, is therefore a priority. In addition, the departures of Valentin Rongier and Ismaël Bennacer left a void in terms of creativity and control of tempo in the middle of the field. Although Godfrey Kodia and Nadiro offer solutions, and Bakola is a promising player, balance remains fragile. To play on several tables this season, a reinforcement at the heart of the game could make the difference. The mercato will therefore be animated for OM, with considerable efforts to refine its workforce and achieve its objectives.