Olympique de Marseille suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat against Stade Brestois 29, a result that could seriously hurt their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. The match was especially important as it marked the first game in charge for new head coach Habib Beye. Instead of a fresh start, it turned into a frustrating evening for the home side.
Brest striker Ludovic Ajorque scored both goals, taking advantage of Marseille’s defensive mistakes. His clinical finishing highlighted the difference between the two teams on the night. While Brest looked sharp and confident, Marseille struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
The defeat extended Marseille’s winless run to four matches, their longest without a victory in two years. At a crucial stage of the season, dropping points like this could prove costly, especially with other teams chasing the same Champions League spots.
Greenwood’s Missed Opportunity
The spotlight fell on Mason Greenwood, who endured a difficult night. The former Manchester United forward had seven shots during the match but managed to hit the target only twice. Despite his effort, his finishing lacked precision.
In the 82nd minute, Greenwood won a penalty that gave Marseille a lifeline. It was the perfect chance to reduce the deficit and spark a late comeback. However, his weak penalty was comfortably saved by Brest goalkeeper Grégoire Coudert, ending any real hope of recovery.
The miss was particularly disappointing because Greenwood has been one of Marseille’s standout players this season. With 14 goals and four assists in 20 league starts, he has shown consistent quality. One bad night does not erase his strong campaign, but in big moments, expectations are always higher.
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A New Era Under Habib Beye
Before the match, Marseille officially announced Beye as their new manager following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi. The club praised Beye’s leadership qualities and his clear football identity, built on discipline, intensity, and ambition.
Beye previously impressed at Red Star FC, where he helped the club earn promotion to Ligue 2. His return to Marseille, where he once played, was seen as a symbolic and emotional moment. Many fans hoped his passion and connection to the club would inspire immediate improvement.
However, his first test proved how challenging the job will be. Changing a team’s mentality and results does not happen overnight. Beye now faces the task of rebuilding confidence while keeping the squad focused on their season objectives.
Champions League Hopes Hanging in the Balance
Marseille remain in the race for Champions League qualification, but their margin for error is shrinking. Rivals like Lille OSC are also struggling, which offers some relief. Still, relying on others to drop points is never a safe strategy.
Consistency will be key in the coming weeks. The team must rediscover their attacking sharpness and defensive stability if they want to stay competitive. Greenwood’s form will also play a major role in determining their fate.
There is still time to turn things around, but pressure is mounting. For Beye and his players, the message is clear improve quickly or risk watching Europe’s biggest competition from home next season. Stay tuned for more interesting football discussions only on footballcoasters.co.uk.