Ismaël Bennacer will play no part in Olympique de Marseille’s vital Ligue 1 encounter with Le Havre this Saturday, after a groin injury ruled the Algerian midfielder out of the squad for Matchday 33.
The setback comes at a pivotal stage of the campaign, with Marseille locked in a tight battle for European qualification.
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi now faces the challenge of reshuffling his midfield without one of his most dependable performers.
Bennacer had only recently shown signs of regaining form, having come off the bench in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Lille.
However, medical assessments conducted earlier this week revealed a minor adductor strain.
Although not considered serious, the injury was enough for the medical team to recommend rest, ruling him out of the upcoming trip to Normandy.
The 26-year-old joined Marseille on loan from AC Milan during the January transfer window, with the club holding an option to make the deal permanent for €12 million.
Since arriving, Bennacer has quickly become an influential figure in the squad.
His tactical intelligence and composure in possession have stood out in his 11 league appearances, playing a significant role in Marseille’s recent resurgence, which sees them sitting second in the table.
De Zerbi now faces the prospect of coping without a player who has brought balance and fluidity to Marseille’s midfield.
With Champions League qualification on the line, Saturday’s clash against Le Havre carries immense importance, and Bennacer’s absence could tilt the balance in what is expected to be a closely contested match.
The club’s medical team remains hopeful that Bennacer will recover in time for the season finale against Stade Rennais at the Stade Vélodrome on May 17.
That fixture could prove decisive in determining Marseille’s European fate — and potentially offer Bennacer one final chance to make an impression before a decision is made on his long-term future.
In the meantime, this latest injury represents yet another frustrating chapter in the midfielder’s stop-start season.
“Caution is now required, with a view to returning to 100% fitness for the final act,” said a club source, underscoring the importance of not rushing his return.
For now, Marseille will have to push on without their midfield orchestrator as they continue their pursuit of a top-two finish.
👉🏼Ismaël Bennacer souffre d’une petite lésion à un adducteur. Il devrait manquer le déplacement au Havre. Le staff espère son retour pour la dernière journée de championnat. (@lequipe) #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/RUqnJkbtSk
— Guillaume Tarpi (@GuillaumeTarpi) May 6, 2025
