Marseille‘s only chance for a trophy this season

Olympique Marseille is playing it‘s best football in year. Roberto De Zerbi has managed to settle in the Southern France and his tactical touch is now recognized in the club. The sporting sector provided him the players needed for his style but it looks like this is (again) not the season in which the League 1 trophy will go to Marseille. PSG‘s occasional stumbling in the league was not followed by Olympique‘s victories and now they are third instead of first, while Lens seized the chance and sit at the top with eight points more than Marseille. Unless their form drastically impoves in 2026, the Olympians will not be champions in May. But since the Cup holders PSG lost shockingly on Monday against Paris, there is a clear path opening for Roberto De Zerbi‘s men to win the French Cup.

Off course there are other clubs who also want that trophy, but on paper, Marseille is the favorite since Tuesday morning. Lyon, Lens and Monaco are still there, and there are always surprises, especially in the French Cup but De Zerbi must motivate his players highly against a team coming from the French sixth division.

“All matches must be played in the same way. There are no matches less important than others. We must have the same determination and humility. Otherwise, we risk being an incomplete team. We will have the best possible team for this match. I like the competition because everyone has the same chance. One is equal in football and in life. All teams should have the same rights as PSG and OM. The players are often sons of immigrants or people from poorer backgrounds, so it's a fairer format" said De Zerbi.

A Hitchcock thriller ends in penalty climax: PSG arise from abyss to crush Marseille

Off course, there will be changes in the team. Aubameyang came back from AFCON and will be rested as Marseille has ‘enough strikers to do without him" while De Lange will start on goal instead of Rulli. Marseille had a rather tough start in 2026 and De Zerbi want‘s to erase that. Surprised by Nantes in Ligue 1 at the Veodrome on January 4th (a 2-0 defeat), the club from the south of France thought they had bounced back against PSG, taking a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute. But Marseille conceded an equalizer in stoppage time, letting slip their first trophy since 2012.

“The Champions Trophy really touched me. I'll remember it for the rest of my life. The progress we need to make doesn't come from matches but from training: giving everything and taking nothing for granted. We have to find a balance until the final whistle, not the 85th minute. If you want, come into the locker room and see what I say before the game. You'll see if they have character, if they're ready to take a red card or two or three months in prison to win a game. With a little more rage and malice, these situations could turn out negatively" said the Italian.

FRENCH CUP - ROUND OF 32

Saturday

Angers - Toulouse 5-6 on pen (1-1)

/Sbai 90+1 pen - Hidalgo 47/

Sunday

Le Mans - Nansy 4-1 on pen (0-0)

Sochaux - Lens 0-3 (0-1)

/Edouard 22, Udol 87, Sima 89/

Metz - Montpellier 0-4 (0-2)

/Savanier 8 pen, Issoufou 21, Mbiayi 46, Pays 64/

Nantes - Nice 3-5 on pen (1-1)

/Guirassy 52 - Diop 25/

US Chantilly - Rennes 1-3 (1-0)

/Joseph 42 - Merlin 70, Tamari 71, Quinonez 78/

Lille - Olympique Lyon 1-2 (1-2)

/Ngoy 28 - Endrick 42, Moreira 1/

Monday

PSG - Paris 0-1 (0-0)

/Ikone 74/

Tuesday

22:00 (95.0) Bayeux FC (16) Marseille (1.02)