Auba scores a brace, Greenwood in a fight with Mings

Marseille players are excited and buzzing ahead of the new season in French Ligue 1. Both set of footballers, old and new are trying to get their place in Roberto De Zerbi’s team as Olympique made some new signings and the competition in the team is as big as ever. On top of that, the French giant is playing in the Champions League again and the expectations are high. The number two spot in the league is almost a given and some are even dreaming of unsettling PSG as favorites. So, when the final friendly game arrived, the players were eager to defeat Aston Villa in front of the packed Velodrome. In fact, so eager that they scored three goals and went into a fight!

In the center of the game was (again) Mason Greenwood. The former Manchester United gem is already in form as he scored seven goals in six pre season matches Marseille played. He was on spot again against Villa after only five minutes, but was also in the epicenter of the scuffle with the visiting players. Greenwood was late on the tacke on Amadou Onana and the player stood up and wanted a chat with Mason but Tyrone Mings arrived there quickly as well. As Greenwood appeared to laugh at Onana, Mings quickly grabbed the forward with the incident escalating. He never let go of his shirt and after a mass brawl ended, the Marseille forward’s shirt was ripped apart.

This game also brought a ‘headache’ to Roberto De Zerbi. Striker Amine Gouiri was prepared to start the season as the main striker in the front three, but new/old signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a brace, forcing a debate among French media who should start next week in Rennes.

"They might be able to play together, but in my mind there's no hierarchy. We're going to play at least forty games this season, we'll need everyone. Players like Hojbjerg, Rabiot, Balerdi, and Greenwood might play more than the others, but I'm not asking myself any questions about the hierarchy" said De Zerbi after the game in the most diplomatic manner.