Marseille 202526 Season Preview: Defensive Reinforcement and Forward Fluidity
Marseille secured the 2nd position in the French League, amassing 65 points. Their season was marked by 74 goals scored and 47 conceded, resulting in a goal difference of +27. This performance reflected their strengths and challenges across attack and defense. Having lost long-serving midfielders and reshuffled their backline, the squad now emphasizes defensive solidity, flexible attacking combinations, and emerging playmakers under a retooled system.
Key Players & Core Structure
Gero?nimo Rulli: 34 apps, 3,060 mins Marseille’s new no.1, commanding from the back with elite distribution.
Mason Greenwood: 32(2) apps, 2,819 mins Versatile attacker deployed across all forward lines, central to offensive schemes.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg: 30 apps, 2,666 mins Midfield stabilizer providing press-resistance and structure.
Luis Henrique: 29(4) apps, 2,623 mins Left-sided creativity and vertical carrier, now departed.
Adrien Rabiot: 27(2) apps, 2,483 mins Progressive passer and transitional anchor.
Michael Amir Murillo: 27(3) apps, 2,437 mins Right-sided engine capable of overlapping and defending 1v1.
Leonardo Balerdi and Geoffrey Kondogbia: Combined 4,297 minutes as center-back duoaggressive, but sometimes vulnerable under overloads.
Quentin Merlin (departed): 21(6) apps, 1,602 mins Provided width and recovery on the left.
Valentin Rongier (departed): 17(6) apps, 1,564 mins Underrated tempo-setter and defensive mid.
Derek Cornelius: 17(4) apps, 1,424 mins Rotational CB, now starting more frequently.
Amine Gouiri: 12(1) apps, 1,052 mins Dynamic attacker who can drop between lines and finish wide moves.
Departures
Luis Henrique, Valentin Rongier, and Quentin Merlin Key contributors in buildup and width. Their exits reshape Marseille’s left flank and midfield rhythm.
New players
Lilian Brassier (from Brest): Left-footed CB with strong anticipation (5(3) apps, 933 mins).
Pol Lirola (returning from loan): Wide defender/midfielder offering rotational coverage.
Ismaël Bennacer (from Milan): Creative and defensive midfielder, press-resistant and technical (652 mins).
Elye Wahi (from Lens): Electric forward capable of stretching defenses (7(6) apps, 577 mins).
Amine Harit (from Schalke): Versatile dribbler and creator in tight spaces (8(5) apps, 522 mins).
Bilal Nadir (from Marseille B): Promising attacking midfielder already with 382 mins.
Jonathan Rowe (from Norwich): Wide forward threat (6(2) apps, 795 mins).
Facundo Medina (from Lens): Strong left-footed center-back (29 apps, 2,547 mins), likely starter.
Angel Gomes (from Lille): Multi-role playmaker (10(4) apps, 740 mins).
CJ Egan-Riley (from Burnley): Young, physical defender under development.
Substitute & Rotational Depth
Neal Maupay (13(9) apps, 1,045 mins): Offers pressing and link-up when rotated in.
Lirola, Harit, and Bennacer allow mid-match shape changes without destabilizing control.
Brassier and Medina now firm up the left side of the defense.
Rowe, Nadir, and Gomes allow tactical fluidity in 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 schemes.
Marseille have transitioned from a vertically direct, compact team into a side capable of more layered possession and structured rotations. The loss of Merlin and Rongier stings, but signings like Bennacer, Wahi, Medina, and Gomes bring balance and flexibility. With Greenwood as the attacking pivot and a bolstered backline, Marseille remains a top-four contender with European aspirations.
