Genesio banks on Bayer Leverkusen's absences to revive OM in Europa

This Thursday at 9 p.m., the Phocaeans of Olympique de Marseille, led by Bruno Genesio, will travel to the Bundesliga to face Bayer Leverkusen, hoping to turn the numerous German absences into their first points in the Europa League on the BayArena pitch.

Marseille could take advantage of numerous absences on Bayer Leverkusen's side to secure their first points in the Europa League this Thursday, while Olympique de Marseille are thriving in Ligue 1 but have suffered three defeats in three Europa matches.

Traveling this Thursday (9 p.m.) onto Bayer Leverkusen's turf, Bruno Genesio's men will try to claim their first European points, but the task looks delicate against the Germans, who sit second in the table level on points with leaders Benfica.

A genuine disaster in Bayer Leverkusen's ranks could allow Marseille to launch their European campaign, especially as the Phocaeans arrive almost complete for the trip.

On the Marseille side, Bruno Genesio should be able to rely on an almost full squad; only Derek Cornelius is already out, while Emerson remains doubtful after a knee injury during the 2‑0 win over Toulouse on Sunday, which reassures the coach who has plenty of options to shape his starting eleven.

Bayer Leverkusen Injuries

Bayer Leverkusen will have to deal with a significant injury cascade, complicating their coach's task, with at least five absentees and a sixth uncertain; Guéla Doué, Loïc Badé, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Moussa Diaby and Christian Kofane are all ruled out, and Nathan Tella remains doubtful for this fourth round of the Europa League.

Overall, Bayer Leverkusen could be missing six players against the Phocaeans, a genuine disaster that presents a great opportunity for Bruno Genesio's men, eager to exploit these absences to claim their first European win of the season and revive the qualification race.

The verdict has come for Emerson's injury: a serious injury has been ruled out, the former Lyon player having been taken off in the 19th minute against Toulouse.