Marseille boost survival hopes as Gouiri and Kondogbia return for Troyes clash

Olympique de Marseille head into their first Ligue 1 fixture after the international break with striker Amine Gouiri and midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia back in the squad, giving Bruno Genesio a chance to halt the club’s slide as they prepare to face Troyes on Sunday evening.

The club unveiled the 21‑man group just hours before the match, scheduled for 20:45. Before the break Marseille sat 17th, second‑last in Ligue 1, and feared a depleted line‑up against Troyes. The announced roster, however, contains several unexpected inclusions that should please supporters.

Key attackers back in action

Amine Gouiri returns after representing Algeria, despite a lingering thigh strain. He had hoped to be fit for the ESTAC encounter, but the medical staff remained cautious. The striker will be available on Sunday, providing a much‑needed option up front.

Midfield reinforcement confirmed

Geoffrey Kondogbia also makes the bench after missing the end of August with a thigh injury. The French‑born midfielder recovered sufficiently to be cleared for selection. His presence adds depth to the central area for the upcoming clash.

Marseille set to give 20‑year‑old Kyliann Bezahaf first start at Troyes

Tochukwu Nnadi is among the 21 called by Genesio, having recovered from a knee injury sustained in early September. Marseille will also be without Timothy Weah, who serves a suspension, and Pierre‑Emile Hojbjerg, sidelined by a thigh tear suffered with Denmark and expected to miss roughly fifteen days. Defender Derek Cornelius remains unavailable after a serious hip injury and is unlikely to return before 2027.

Genesio has stressed the need to “manage the urgency” and to “break the negative spiral” that has plagued the team. He hopes the returning players will allow him to implement a more balanced approach in the sixth round of Ligue 1. The coach’s remarks underline the pressure to secure points.

With only a handful of matches left before the winter break, every point is vital for a club perched near the relegation zone. A positive result against Troyes could lift Marseille out of the bottom two and restore confidence among the fan base.

The encounter will take place at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday at 20:45. Supporters will be watching closely to see whether the reinforcements can translate into a performance that steadies the ship.