UEFA Europa League, Matchday 2, 15/10/26

Olympique de Marseille remain winless in the UEFA Europa Conference League and returned to losing ways against Olympiacos on Thursday night (0-1).

OM registered their first victory since the opening day of the Ligue 1 season against ESTAC Troyes on Sunday night but couldln’t back it up at the Vélodrome. Bruno Genesio called on his fringe players making five changes to the side that took all three points at the Stade de l’Aube just days earlier. Among the changes was Bamo Meité, making his first appearance of the season and indeed his first for Marseille since May 2025.

The problems, however, were largely in attack. Igor Paixao continues to look bereft of confidence, whilst Neal Maupay stealthily managed to go through the game entirely undetected before being replaced midway through the second half.

The bright spark came in the form of academy product Keyliane Abdallah, who, in a rare foray beyond the Olympiacos defence, stung the palms of Stefan Ortega. Jeffrey De Lange wasn’t overly solicited but asked to make a save just before the break, he couldn’t keep out Santiago Hezze’s close-range header. OM’s claims over a foul on Himad Abdelli went unheard by Michael Oliver.

The Greek side had to weather a brief storm in the second half. Unlike De Lange at the other end, Ortega was decisive, making a smart double save to deny the returning Timothy Weah and then Paixao. Les Phocéens freshened up the attack, with the likes of Amine Gouiri, Amine Harit, and Faris Moumbagna coming on, but the changes had the effect of stinting OM’s incision, not bolstering it.

Olympiacos weren’t particularly impressive but didn’t have to be. Their game management having gone ahead ensured that they went largely untroubled by a side who have now lost six of their first eight games in all competitions. “We’ll keep believing [in a qualification] until the end,” said Genesio post-match. “It’s about how you finish,” added Weah. Doubts, however, about OM’s European credentials this season are logically growing. Away trips to Sturm Graz and Bayer Leverkusen await. By the time that Levski Sofia come to town on 26th November, Marseille’s European dreams could already be hanging by a thread.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Marseille