Olympique de Marseille will be without Algerian midfielder Ismaël Bennacer for their upcoming Ligue 1 encounter against Le Havre, after the 27-year-old sustained a minor adductor injury during last weekend’s draw with Lille.
Forced off at half-time in the 1–1 result, Bennacer underwent medical examinations earlier this week which confirmed the muscular issue.
The club’s medical team has ruled him out of Saturday’s penultimate match of the season as a precaution, with doubts also lingering over his availability for the final game on 17 May against Stade Rennais at the Vélodrome.
The absence comes as a significant setback for Marseille, who are in the midst of a tense race for European qualification.
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi is now faced with the challenge of reorganising his midfield without one of its most consistent and influential figures.
Bennacer, who arrived on loan from AC Milan in January with a €12 million purchase option, has steadily become an integral part of the OM setup.
His blend of tactical intelligence, technical finesse, and big-match experience has brought both stability and creativity to a midfield that had lacked control earlier in the campaign.
Since his arrival, Marseille have gained momentum, positioning themselves firmly in the race for a direct Champions League spot.
Currently second in the table with 59 points, OM can ill afford any slip-ups in the final stretch. Their visit to Le Havre presents a potentially tricky assignment, as the home side is still fighting to avoid relegation and will be desperate to take something from the match.
Without Bennacer’s composure and tempo-setting presence in the centre of the pitch, De Zerbi will be forced to reshuffle and possibly rely on less experienced options in a high-pressure scenario.
The uncertainty around Bennacer’s return for the final matchday only adds to the tension. While the club remains hopeful of having him available for the decisive fixture against Rennes, no definitive timeline has been provided.
A return in time for what could be a winner-takes-all clash would offer a much-needed lift, especially given Bennacer’s ability to influence games at both ends of the pitch.
Marseille’s medical staff is expected to monitor the player closely over the coming days, balancing the need for recovery with the urgency of the club’s objectives.
De Zerbi, known for his tactical flexibility, will now need to rely on the depth of his squad to navigate a fixture list that leaves no margin for error.
As Marseille prepare for the final two fixtures of the season, all eyes will be on how they cope without their Algerian midfield anchor.
Bennacer’s contribution since his arrival has been clear, and his absence, even if temporary, will be keenly felt. Should he recover in time for the final showdown, his return could prove decisive in securing the club’s Champions League ambitions.
