The postponed Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 22 fixture between OM and Rennes will see both clubs play their first matches for new bosses, with Jorge Sampaoli and Bruno Genesio fresh from taking the reins in a bid to turn around some poor recent form.
Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 22
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Olympique de Marseille - Stade Rennais FC
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Marseille's humiliating Coupe de France exit at the hands of fourth-division part-timers Canet-en-Roussilon at the weekend was widely seen as a nadir for the club who have endured a turbulent season so far, and fans - doubtless as well as everyone at the club - will be hoping that newly signed coach Jorge Sampaoli can inspire a huge reaction as they take on Rennes in their rescheduled Round 22 clash on Wednesday.
Sampaoli: 'Defending a jersey is the most important thing'
The Argentine made no secret of the fact that he is a devotee of attacking football - he is tipped to field a full-strength and forward-minded 3-5-2 formation - but Sampaoli also emphasised his desire to instil a fierce passion for the club's legendary blue and white jersey.
"I want the players to feel my philosophy but also what the fans feel for this jersey, which should unite us, bring us together," said the former Sevilla and Argentina coach. "The jersey is somewhat forgotten in today's football. But I want to try to remind people that defending a jersey is the most important thing. This is the message this group will hear, that we must savour the game, the victory and win for a jersey."
Genesio: 'Start a new positive run'
Currently in eighth place, OM could jump as high as sixth with a win, and tenth-placed Rennes could hit the heights of seventh, making this a crucial fixture in the race for a European place, but new Rennes boss Genesio was careful to keep talk of lofty goals on the down-low.
"The ideal would be to take three points to get closer to fifth place, to start a new positive run before the international break," said the former Olympique Lyonnais coach, who notably engineered a stunning away win over Manchester City in the Champions League in 2018-19. "But before talking about the result, we have to think about how we play, and how to find the enjoyment and the enthusiasm again. We cannot just be obsessed by results and finalities."
In his bid to break the Brittany club's eight-match winless run in all competitions, Genesio is tipped to hand starts to stars Eduardo Camavinga, Steven Nzonzi, Jérémy Doku and Serhou Guirassy while leaving captain Damien Da Silva on the bench after he sat out the 1-0 loss to Lyon in Round 28.
Probable teams
Olympique de Marseille: Mandanda (c); Balerdi, Gonzalez, Caleta-Car; Lirola, Kamara, Cuisance, Nagatomo; Thauvin, Milik, Payet
Stade Rennais FC: Gomis; Soppy, Nyamsi, Aguerd, Truffert; Nzonzi (c), Camavinga; Doku, Grenier, Terrier; Guirassy
