New coach Roberto De Zerbi has sparked hope that Marseille could challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title this season. Under his guidance, Marseille has achieved an impressive record of three wins and one draw in their first four matches, scoring 12 goals.
De Zerbi has quickly instilled an attacking style reminiscent of his time at Brighton and Sassuolo. Controversial signing Mason Greenwood, previously suspended by Manchester United, has already made a notable impact with five goals. France international Adrien Rabiot joined on a free transfer from Juventus, bringing experience to the midfield, though he is not expected to play against Lyon this Sunday.
Despite the excitement among fans—who last celebrated a Ligue 1 title in 2010—De Zerbi emphasized the need for realism. “It’s an almost perfect start to the season, yes,” he acknowledged after a 2-0 win over Nice. “The fans can dream, but we still have much to improve.”
Lyon, on the other hand, faces challenges after a difficult start. Currently sitting bottom of the table, they have only managed four points, trailing leaders PSG by eight. Owner John Textor’s focus on acquiring Premier League club Everton has added to their struggles. Last season, under Pierre Sage, Lyon finished sixth and reached the French Cup final, but their prospects this year will become clearer against a confident Marseille.
In other Ligue 1 action, PSG aims for their fifth straight win against Reims, while Monaco hosts Le Havre, also looking to maintain momentum. Player to watch is Neal Maupay, who scored in his first Ligue 1 start since 2016.
