Olympique de Marseille coach Igor Tudor cited fatigue among the reasons his side couldn't do better than a 1-0 defeat at home to Frankfurt on UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 on Tuesday. They now sit at the foot of Group D with zero points.
Despite beating LOSC 2-1 in Saturday night's Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 7 clash at the Orange Vélodrome to stay level on points with Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille struggled to recapture that form as Eintracht Frankfurt came calling on Tuesday night.
In a lively match with lots of end-to-end action, Marseille had their chances - Alexis Sanchez went agonisingly close early on - but in the end Jesper Lindström's strike just before the break proved enough to leave OM winless and pointless in the competition.
"We got into the match too slowly, as if we were overwhelmed by this Champions League match at home. We were too slow in our build-up play and we didn't make the difference up front," admitted OM boss Igor Tudor, doubtless happy to see Daichi Kamada's second-half strike ruled out for off-side. "In the second half, we pushed and we deserved a goal. It didn't happen and in the end we lost against a strong team. It was the third game in six days, there is obvious fatigue and many injuries. We end up with only one defender and players who miss passes they don't usually miss."
Marseille now turn their attentions to Sunday afternoon's crucial league clash with Rennes - who now boast legendary former OM 'keeper Steve Mandanda in their ranks - when their unbeaten status in the league will be put to a stiff test by Bruno Genesio's in-form side.
