PARIS – Marseille got off to a bad start to the year when two players were sent off and they lost 2-0 at home to Nantes on Sunday.
A win could put some pressure on second-place Paris Saint-Germain ahead of their game against Paris Saint-Germain later on Sunday in the first French men's league capital derby since 1990.
But Marseille's defeat leaves them four points behind PSG in third. Marseille are now level on points with fourth-placed Lille, with the teams separated by goal difference.
Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi has tried to improve the team's mentality and concentration since taking charge last season but again lamented the same shortcomings.
“We need to look at ourselves. If we play a match like this, if we don't show more desire to win, we will get what we deserve, which is no better than third place,” he said. “We started the match poorly, even with the score 11 against 11, we lacked energy, lacked what we needed to play.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was straight into Marseille's starting line-up despite only recently playing for Gabon at the African Cup of Nations.
Marseille fans observed a minute's silence before the game at the Vélodrome in memory of former Marseille coach Jean-Louis Gasse, who died on December 26 at the age of 72. In 2024, Gasset briefly managed Marseille.
After Nantes' early goal was ruled out for offside following a video review, Marseille midfielder Arthur Vermeeren was shown a straight red card in the 26th minute for a late tackle on goalkeeper Anthony Lopez.
Five minutes later, defender Fabien Saintons gave Nantes the lead when he scored after goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved Mathis Ablin's shot.
Things got worse for Marseille when midfielder Bilal Nadir received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 56th for a foul on Daver Machado from behind near the halfway line.
New signing Remy Cabella sealed victory for 16th-place Nantes with a late penalty.
Substitute Noam Obugu scored the winner as Le Havre beat Angers 2-1 to move out of the relegation zone.
Le Havre took the lead through 19-year-old forward Kenny Quetant, with Louis Mouton equalizing in the second half.
Last-placed Metz drew 1-1 with Lorient.
Defender Sadibou Sane gave Metz the lead in the first half and Bamba Dieng earned a point for Lorient with a second-half header from Pablo Pages' cross.
Impressive striker Ludovic Ahorke backheeled home a cross as Brest beat Auxerre 2-0.
Surprise leaders Lens beat Toulouse 3-0 on Friday to maintain top spot behind PSG.
