Ligue 1 McDonald's, Round 6, 11/10/2026
Olympique de Marseille would leap out of the relegation zone and push ESTAC Troyes into the mire, with a 1-0 win over the Champagne side.
The return of domestic football brought together two of Ligue 1's struggling teams. Marseille arrived in the Champagne region searching for an end to their run of four defeats in a row in the league. For Troyes, it was three.
The football, as you might expect, was flat and did not flow readily. Neither team managed a shot on target during a first half where Marseille controlled the ball for long stretches, but without providing much threat. Igor Paixão provided the creativity from out wide on the left, but his crosses struggled to find their mark.
Down the other end, Jérémy Le Douaron was the target for Troyes. The former Stade Brestois striker had a great aerial presence, but as was the theme of the first half, he lacked accuracy. Promising positions would end with his header drifting off target.
The second half would promise something different as Emerson Palmieri's cross found Amine Harit alone at the back post. The winger fired low and between the legs of the Australian international, Patrick Beach, to give Marseille the lead.
However, it would prove to be a brief reprieve from the general theme of a game that never left first gear. Bruno Génésio had one eye on Marseille's upcoming UEFA Europa League clash with Olympiakos and, midway through the half, made his changes, with Neal Maupay and Keyliane Abdallah replacing Amine Gouiri and Harit.
Troyes would turn things on in injury time with Renaud Ripart hitting the post and Christ Batola's header going wide. Marseille began to wilt under pressure; their paper-thin squad began to tear at the seams as control slipped away.
However, there would be a last twist when Faris Moumbagna was brought down in the box by Beach. Himad Abdelli would step up and easily dispatch his effort to relax the visitors.
Jeffrey De Lange, 6
Emerson Palmieri, 5
Nayef Aguerd, 6
CJ Egan-Riley, 5
Kelyann Bezahaf, 5
Himad Abdelli, 6
Nouhoum Kamissoko, 7
A very composed game from the youngster, who was in the starting line-up for the injured Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. He didn't put a foot wrong all night, but was eventually punished when he suffered what looked like a touch of cramp that ended his night. Replaced by Tochukwu Nnadiin the 73rd minute.
Igor Paixão, 5
Angel Gomes, 4
Amine Harit, 7
First goal for Marseille since 2024. It was a well-taken effort, even if it was helped by a lax bit of defending from a team that looks as if it will struggle to remain in the top flight. He looked good on the ball and was regularly looking to slip Gouiri behind the backline. Replaced in the 64th minute by Keyliane Abdallah.
Amine Gouiri, 4
Replaced in the 64th minute by Neal Maupay.
Paolo Gozzi, 3
Kandet Diawara, 5
Jérémy Le Douaron, 3
