Olympique de Marseille’s European woes deepened after a 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, highlighting persistent gaps in quality against Europe’s elite.
The loss leaves OM fighting for survival in the group stage while extending a rare and worrying statistic: the French side has now gone 31 consecutive Champions League matches without a single draw, the longest streak in the competition’s history.
Marseille’s record in these 31 games – nine wins and 23 defeats – underscores a team that often shows commitment but rarely finds the balance to secure points on tough nights.
The latest setback against Liverpool exposed those vulnerabilities, leaving the club’s hopes of advancing hanging by a thread.
Amid the challenges, Marseille’s African stars remain central to the club’s identity. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has often been the team’s standout performer, while Algerian forward Amine Gouiri, Central African midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, Moroccan defenders Nayef Aguerd and Bilal Nadir, Ivorian Hamed Junior Traoré, and young Tunisian Anis Doubal form the core of the squad’s talent.
This “African contingent” will play a critical role in stabilising the team as it battles to turn its fortunes around.
The club’s next Champions League fixture against Club Brugge on Wednesday carries enormous significance.
A win is essential for Marseille to keep hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. Failure to secure maximum points would all but end their campaign and mark another disappointing European season for the Ligue 1 side.
Coach Igor Tudor and experienced players like Kondogbia and Aguerd are expected to take charge, guiding Aubameyang and the rest of the squad through a high-pressure encounter.
For Marseille, this match is more than just a game; it is a test of character and a chance to break free from a historic run of defeats.
Victory against Brugge would not only extend the club’s un-draw streak to 32 games but, more importantly, would keep their European hopes alive.
The Vélodrome is set for a decisive and tense evening, as Marseille battles to prove its resilience on the continental stage.
