The Phoca team shifts to François-Coty to complete a campaign that now hinges on finishing the prior stage of the Champions League qualifying process. This move is about measuring strength against rivals already in the chase for European spots as the season winds down.
Alexis Sanchez closes the campaign for Olympic Marseille this weekend as the squad tests itself against teams that have already secured their European fate, in a match that marks the final day of Ligue 1 action. Marseille aims to cap a solid season by contending for a top finish, a realistic target given the current standings and recent form.
The Phocian side heads into the François-Coty fortress with a clear objective: seal a third-place finish in the table, a position that Lille and Rennes have struggled to surpass. The weekend’s dramatic 1-2 loss to Stade Brestois underscored the challenge—Marseille must now settle for the penultimate phase of the upcoming UEFA Champions League cycle, rather than a direct route to the group stage.
Coach Igor Tudor’s team arrived at the Orange Vélodrome with determination to push through to the group stage. They faced stiff competition as Olympique Lens presented a stubborn obstacle during their pursuit of higher ground. In a season defined by intensity, Franck Haise’s Lens battled to secure a top-two finish, gathering 81 points, four behind Paris Saint-Germain who clinched the title in what was a dramatic finish around the Racing Club de Strasbourg’s venue.
As the campaign concludes, Marseille acknowledges the realities of the European target. The club will be seeking one of the six remaining slots in the playoff rounds, hoping to avoid a Europa League outcome that would cap a solid year with a different type of continental competition. Les Phocéens, meanwhile, look forward to participating in Europe’s premier competition once again in the coming cycle after a history that includes multiple appearances across their history in France’s top flight.
It is notable that both Marseille and their rivals have logged 27 Ligue 1 campaigns each at the highest level, with Marseille accounting for more wins and a higher goal tally in the head-to-head record between the clubs. Marseille has secured 15 victories in those meetings, scoring 43 goals to Lens’s 24, while the two sides have also drawn six times. In their most recent encounter, Lens emerged victorious 2-1, snapping a short spell without a win and reminding Marseille of the ongoing challenge in this regional rivalry.
Alexis’ stats with Les Phocéens – All his goals with the OM
The match between L’ours and the Phocians can be followed live on the streaming platform StarPlus. The service offers both monthly and annual subscriptions, accessible through the official StarPlus site. Viewers can watch on televisions, computers, mobile devices, tablets, and game consoles, making it convenient to catch the action wherever they go. [citation: Goal]