Olympique de Marseille (OM) faced a double blow as they prepared to host Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday evening for the 27th day of Ligue 1. Already grappling with the absence of key players, OM suffered another setback when Chancel Mbemba, a pivotal figure in their lineup, was forced off the pitch in the second half due to injury, leaving a void in their defensive ranks.
With Mbemba’s premature departure disrupting their defensive structure, OM struggled to contain PSG’s attacking prowess, ultimately conceding two goals and succumbing to defeat.
Reflecting on Mbemba’s injury and its impact on the team, OM midfield maestro Geoffrey Kondogbia and Swiss defender Ulisses Garcia conveyed their apprehensions about the Congolese defender’s condition.
“Mbemba? He’s someone important for us. I hope he will be there for the next match. We haven’t yet seen what he has,” remarked Kondogbia, acknowledging Mbemba’s significance to the team’s defensive solidity.
Garcia echoed Kondogbia’s sentiments, expressing concern over the destabilizing effect of Mbemba’s absence on OM’s performance. “It’s very, very frustrating today.
We were a little destabilized when Chancel came out. Leo (Balerdi) came out too, but I think it was just a cramp so that’s very good for us,” Garcia remarked, highlighting the impact of Mbemba’s exit on the team’s composure.
Despite the setback, Garcia emphasized the need for resilience and unity within the squad, acknowledging the team’s spirited performance against PSG.
“Today, we looked PSG eye to eye, and we must continue like that,” Garcia asserted, underscoring OM’s determination to maintain their competitive edge.
As OM prepares for upcoming fixtures, including their next encounter following Mbemba’s injury, the extent of the former Porto player’s absence remains uncertain, leaving fans and teammates eagerly awaiting updates on his recovery timeline.
