Nkoulou Keeps Marseille Grounded Amid Stellar Start Under Bielsa
By BBC Sport | Football – Ligue 1
Olympique de Marseille’s electric start to the Ligue 1 season under Marcelo Bielsa has sent shockwaves through French football, with the club sitting top of the table and playing some of the most exhilarating football in years. But despite their current seven-point cushion over second-placed Paris Saint-Germain, the message from inside the Marseille camp is one of humility and focus.
Cameroonian international Nicolas Nkoulou, who recently found the net in Marseille’s win over Toulouse, struck a cautious tone when asked about title ambitions.
“We shouldn’t pay attention to what people say. I don’t agree with what people say. Paris is still Paris. OM? We’re small. But we’re going to give it our all. I hope luck will be with us throughout the season,” the central defender told reporters.
Nkoulou’s comments reflect the mindset instilled by Bielsa, whose high-intensity tactics and transformative leadership have breathed new life into a club that has struggled for consistency in recent years. Under the Argentine coach, Marseille have surged to the top of the standings with a blend of attacking flair, pressing football, and renewed discipline.
Yet, with only a third of the season gone, Marseille are not getting carried away. The squad knows that a title challenge will require more than a hot streak — consistency, resilience, and depth will be key, especially with PSG looming as perennial favourites.
The upcoming clash against Lyon at the Stade de Gerland on Sunday is being billed as a major litmus test for Bielsa’s men. Facing a rejuvenated OL side in strong form, it will offer a clearer picture of OM’s credentials as serious contenders.
For now, the Marseille faithful are daring to dream, while players like Nkoulou remain firmly focused on the immediate task: taking each game as it comes and refusing to let the hype distract from the hard work ahead.
