21-05-2025
OM's 2024-25 season review 📝
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
The 2024-25 Ligue 1 season came to a close last weekend after the multiplex of the 34th matchday. It's time to reflect on a season full of emotions for OM.
It's hard to think about Olympique de Marseille's season without mentioning the numerous clashes with Ligue 1 referees.
It all started with the red card given to Leonardo Balerdi against Lyon in September, which provoked Medhi Benatia's anger in the corridors of the Groupama Stadium and on DAZN's microphone. His comments earned him a three-match suspension.
The next incident occurred during the match against Lille in the Coupe de France (1-1), where the Marseille sporting director was sent off, along with Olivier Létang, after heated exchanges with Jérémy Stinat, the fourth official of the match.
The sanction, harsher for Medhi Benatia than for the Lille official, caused significant frustration among the Olympians.
This frustration reached a new level just a few weeks later, when the same Jérémy Stinat sent off Derek Cornelius during the defeat against Auxerre (3-0). A red card that led to Pablo Longoria's memorable outburst during the match.
Although they held the second place for most of the season, the Marseillais could have ensured a much smoother end to the season without numerous slips against the "small" teams in the championship.
In the end, all's well that ends well for OM, with a runner-up position and direct qualification for the Champions League. Objective accomplished, not without some avoidable turbulence.
Several players held their ground in the best possible way this season, but it's hard not to start with Geronimo Rulli, who saved OM on numerous occasions. Notably by stopping his first three penalties faced this season.
Adrien Rabiot was also one of the great satisfactions for the Olympians this season. An indefatigable leader and decisive scorer, especially against OL, the former PSG player reminded everyone of the great class player he is.
Often inconsistent, Mason Greenwood still had an excellent first season with OM in terms of numbers with 21 goals in L1.
Also noteworthy is the magnificent arrival of Amine Gouiri in the winter, who revitalized the Olympian attack with stunning goals.
🚲 ǝpoɯ ǝןɔʎɔıq 🔛🔵⚪️Le magnifique 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞́ 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 d'𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢 🇩🇿 pour permettre à l'OM de faire break 🤩🔥Le résumé complet d'#OMSB29, c'est par ici 👉 ✨
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) April 27, 2025
In a historically complicated season defensively, some players in this sector struggled.
Signed freely this winter, Luiz Felipe Ramos barely set foot on L1 pitches due to numerous injuries. Will he be retained this summer?
Geoffrey Kondogbia and Derek Cornelius also struggled to establish themselves. The former was repositioned in defense due to numerous absences, but his lack of speed was often glaring in Roberto De Zerbi's system.
The same goes for the Canadian defender, who was gradually downgraded throughout the season, his lack of speed exposing the Olympian defense too much.
Also noteworthy are the departures this winter of Ismaël Koné and Lilian Brassier to Rennes, who never adapted to the Marseille context.
OM has a VERY big project, and it's their defense. Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia will need to find a way to best support a Leonardo Balerdi often left too alone.
In this regard, rumors linking Aymeric Laporte and Facundo Medina have already started to make noise. It remains to be seen if this will materialize.
A departure of Luis Henrique to Inter Milan is also expected. The Milanese club seems to have made him a priority according to various sources.
It now remains to be seen what will happen with Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot. Could a big offer push the Olympian leaders to part with the season's key players?
📸 CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU - AFP or licensors
