Marseille is set to host Lille this Saturday, just six days after the violent attack on Lyon’s bus at the Velodrome that led to the cancellation of their match. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain will face Montpellier with an opportunity to secure the top spot.
In light of the incident involving Lyon’s team bus being pelted with objects last Sunday, resulting in coach Fabio Grosso requiring stitches to his face, Lille's visit to Marseille will be conducted under heightened police supervision.
L’Equipe reports that Lille president Olivier Letang has communicated with public authorities and the football league (LFP) to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to safeguard his team before confirming the match.
The situation is critical for Marseille, who have already met with much off-pitch turbulence this season, as they sit ninth in the league with one win in their last six outings.
“That was a defeat for all of us, for my team and for Lyon. It’s a defeat for football,” Marseille coach Gennaro Gattuso said of last weekend’s abandoned match.
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“Seeing a full stadium, with 65 000 people, children coming with their parents who are crying because there was no match, all due to the fault of four or people who for me are not OM supporters but inconsiderate people, it’s unacceptable.”
Gattuso said Grosso, a fellow 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, was lucky not to have suffered more severe injuries.
“I only saw him an hour and a half after and frankly, he came out of it OK. Fifteen stitches to the face is not nothing. He could have lost an eye.”
Lille are on the rise and sit fourth in Ligue 1, with three wins in their last four, including an impressive 2-0 victory last weekend against recent table-toppers Monaco.
PSG host Montpellier on Friday ahead of next week’s trip to AC Milan in the Champions League.
One point behind leaders Nice, a win will take the Parisians to the summit of the table, at least until the south coast side play Rennes at home on Sunday.
Since putting early season woes behind them, PSG have been relentless in their pursuit of first place, winning four of five since their defeat to Nice in September.
“We’re in a learning process. The team is doing a lot of things very well, but we’re still in an initial phase,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique.
Importantly, star attacker Kylian Mbappe is back on song, and scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season last weekend against Brest, before drawing the ire of home fans for his combative celebrations.
On Sunday, Lyon will face Metz in a crucial match at the lower end of the league standings.
Grosso's team currently sits at the bottom of the table without a win, and securing a victory would certainly help ease the difficulties they encountered in Marseille last Sunday.
While the Italian coach may not be present on the bench as he continues his recovery, it is confirmed that French international midfielder Corentin Tolisso will be unavailable due to suspension.
