Marseille face Troyes with injury‑hit squad and key doubts ahead of Ligue 1 clash

Olympique de Marseille head into Sunday’s Ligue 1 encounter at Troyes with a roster riddled by injuries and suspensions, leaving head coach Bruno Genesio scrambling for a viable XI. The club, already flirting with the relegation zone, must replace several regulars after a three‑week international break that left the squad depleted.

The most encouraging news is the return of Himad Abdelli, who recovered from an ankle injury sustained with Algeria against Burundi and is now fit for the Troyes trip. Amine Harit, who missed the last league match against PSG, has also been cleared to play, providing a boost to the attacking midfield options.

Mid‑season injuries, however, remain a major concern. Danish midfielder Pierre‑Emile Hojbjerg, who suffered a thigh tear during the Nations League match against Wales, is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks, ruling him out of the next four fixtures, including the crucial clash with Le Havre later in October. Forward Amine Gouiri, who has scored four league goals this season, returned from international duty with a thigh strain and remains a doubt, while central midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia is only just back to training after a prolonged lay‑off.

Defensive depth is also thin. Derek Cornelius is ruled out for the foreseeable future after a hip injury that will keep him off the pitch until 2027, and the club will have to rely on the recently recovered Tochukwu Nnadi, who overcame a knee problem that kept him out since early September. Adding to the woes, winger Timothy Weah will miss the match after serving a suspension.

Former Marseille legend Eric Di Meco expressed his anxiety ahead of the fixture, saying, “Everything OM did well against PSG and Rennes feels so far away; I only see the negatives because we keep losing.” His comments underline the mounting pressure on Genesio, who must balance the limited options while keeping morale high.

Genesio, speaking at the pre‑match press conference, acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the squad’s resilience, noting that the coaching staff will monitor the fitness of Gouiri and Hojbjerg closely before making final decisions. With the club’s survival at stake, the upcoming game at Troyes could prove pivotal in turning the tide of a season that has already been described as “relégable et plombé”.