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Tensions growing at Olympique de Marseille
TL;DR
Tensions are rising at Olympique de Marseille as their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes fade. Recent measures, including a week-long training camp and doubled sessions, have led to frustration and exhaustion among players.
Key points
- Olympique de Marseille's UEFA Champions League hopes are fading
- Recent measures include a week-long training camp
- Players are experiencing frustration and exhaustion
- Tensions have increased following a loss to FC Lorient
- Players feel scapegoated by the club's management
Mentioned in this story
Medhi Benatia
Olympique de MarseilleFC LorientFC Nantes
Tensions growing at Olympique de Marseille
With the end of the season approaching and their goal of UEFA Champions League qualification slipping away, desperate measures have been taken at Olympique de Marseille in recent weeks. These measures, L’Équipeunderstands, are giving rise to increasing tension.
The loss against FC Lorient almost a fortnight ago (2-0) was followed by an outburst from sporting director Medhi Benatia and then a one-week camp, during which players slept at the club’s training centre. That camp was cut short just before last weekend’s game against FC Nantes, which ended in a 3-0 humiliation.
The same measure was introduced and, having returned from the Loire and gone straight to the Commanderie, the club’s training centre, they have yet to leave. The sessions have been doubled, and the atmosphere is growing increasingly tense, whilst the feeling of exhaustion, both mental and physical, is also palpable among the playing squad. L’Équipeunderstands that players are frustrated at being made the scapegoats in this situation and some, who of course have families, are questioning the legality of the extreme measures taken by the Marseille hierarchy.
Wednesday’s session was interrupted by Habib Beye, who was frustrated by Mason Greenwood’s behaviour and by the lack of effort from the team more generally. Matches against Le Havre AC and are to come for Marseille. The club currently sit seventh in Ligue 1.
Q&A
What measures are being taken at Olympique de Marseille due to tensions?
Olympique de Marseille has implemented a week-long training camp and doubled training sessions as tensions rise over their slipping UEFA Champions League qualification hopes.
How did the recent loss to FC Lorient affect Olympique de Marseille?
The 2-0 loss to FC Lorient prompted an outburst from sporting director Medhi Benatia and increased scrutiny on the players, contributing to the growing tensions within the club.
Why are players at Olympique de Marseille frustrated with the club's management?
Players are frustrated because they feel they are being made scapegoats for the team's struggles, questioning the legality and fairness of the extreme measures imposed by the club's hierarchy.
