Marseille will be looking to claim their third successive win under new head coach Jean-Louis Gasset when they travel to the Stade Gabriel Montpied to face Ligue 1 basement club Clermont on Saturday evening.
The two teams meet for the first time since mid-December when Les Olympiens secured a 2-1 victory at the Stade Velodrome.
Although Clermont claimed an admirable point in a goalless draw with Champions League-chasing Nice last weekend, they missed the opportunity to collect all three and have subsequently extended their unwanted winless run in all competitions to six matches.
Les Lanciers held their own against a team 14 places above them and particularly impressed towards the end of the first half, but they were made to rue a number of good opportunities; Bilal Boutobba almost poked the visitors in front shortly before Shamar Nicholson had a penalty saved by Marcin Bulka on the stroke of half time.
The pressure continues to mount on head coach Pascal Gastien, who after nearly seven years in charge has insisted that he "wants to continue" and remains focused on steering Clermont away from danger, aware that his side must find a winning formula quickly if they are to reduce the five-point gap to safety.
0 Comments