Marseille Without Rulli and Abdelli for Crucial Nantes Clash as Lopes Ruled Out

Key facts

• Marseille travel to Nantes on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 15:00 for Ligue 1 matchday 32.
• Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli is out with a back problem (lumbago).
• Himad Abdelli has been dropped by coach Habib Beye and is not in the squad.
• Marseille have only three professional defenders available: Leonardo Balerdi, Emerson Palmieri, and Facundo Medina.
• Nantes goalkeeper Anthony Lopes is out with a thumb injury suffered in training; Patrik Carlgren replaces him.
• Nantes captain Nicolas Cozza returns to the starting lineup, and Rémy Cabella is back in midfield.
• Nantes must win to keep realistic hopes of avoiding relegation.
• Marseille need a victory to stay in contention for Champions League qualification.

Injury and Suspension Crisis Hits Marseille Before Nantes Trip

Olympique de Marseille will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and midfielder Himad Abdelli when they face FC Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday, deepening an already severe selection crisis for coach Habib Beye. Rulli, the Argentine international, has been ruled out with a lumbago, the club confirmed on Saturday morning. Abdelli has been omitted from the squad by Beye for disciplinary reasons, the coach's decision announced alongside the team sheet. The absences compound a long list of unavailable players for Marseille. Already missing from the travelling party are defenders Benjamin Pavard, Timothy Weah, and Nayef Aguerd, as well as midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and forward Nadir — all sidelined through injury or suspension. The club also confirmed that James Egan-Riley is unavailable. Beye has named only 22 players for the match, with just three senior defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Emerson Palmieri, and Facundo Medina. Tochukwu Nnadi, primarily a midfielder, may be deployed as a makeshift right-back.

Nantes Also Hit by Key Absence as Lopes Ruled Out

Nantes, fighting for survival at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table, will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Anthony Lopes for the match. Lopes sustained a thumb injury during training and has been replaced in the starting lineup by Patrik Carlgren, the Swedish goalkeeper who joined the club in the summer. The injury is a significant blow for Nantes, who have relied on Lopes' experience in their battle against relegation. However, Nantes receive a boost with the return of midfielder Rémy Cabella, who had missed recent matches. Cabella is expected to start in midfield, and defender Nicolas Cozza will wear the captain's armband. The home side are expected to line up in a classic 4-4-2 formation, aiming to exploit Marseille's defensive frailties.

Marseille's Attacking Options Bolstered by Return of Gouiri and Paixao

Despite the defensive shortages, Marseille's attack is strengthened by the return of forwards Amine Gouiri and Igor Paixao, both of whom are available for selection after recovering from minor issues. Their presence gives Beye more options in the final third as Marseille seek a vital win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive. The club currently sit in a position that requires maximum points from the remaining fixtures to secure a top-three finish. The match carries enormous stakes for both sides. For Nantes, a defeat would leave them on the brink of relegation with only two games remaining. For Marseille, anything less than three points would effectively end their pursuit of European football's elite competition next season.

Historical Context and Match Dynamics

The fixture at La Beaujoire is one of the most storied in French football, with a notoriously hostile atmosphere for visiting teams. Historically, matches between Nantes and Marseille at this venue have been tightly contested, but current form favours the visitors. Marseille have been more consistent in recent weeks, while Nantes have struggled to find results. Nantes must win to keep realistic hopes of staying up, while Marseille need a victory to remain in the race for European places. The pressure on both teams is immense, and the match is expected to be a tense affair. The home crowd will play a crucial role, but Marseille's superior individual quality could prove decisive.

What Comes Next for Both Clubs

The outcome of this match will have profound implications for the final two rounds of the Ligue 1 season. If Nantes lose, they will likely be relegated unless results elsewhere go their way. For Marseille, a win keeps them in contention for Champions League qualification, while a draw or defeat would all but end their hopes. Beye will be hoping his makeshift defence can hold firm, while Nantes coach will rely on the returning Cabella and the leadership of Cozza to inspire a performance. The match kicks off at 15:00 local time, and both teams know that the season's fate hangs in the balance.

The bottom line

• Marseille are without Geronimo Rulli (back injury) and Himad Abdelli (dropped by coach), plus several other key players.
• Nantes are missing goalkeeper Anthony Lopes (thumb injury), replaced by Patrik Carlgren.
• Marseille have only three senior defenders available; Tochukwu Nnadi may play right-back.
• Rémy Cabella returns for Nantes, and Nicolas Cozza captains the side.
• The match is a must-win for both: Nantes to avoid relegation, Marseille to keep Champions League hopes alive.
• Kick-off is Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 15:00 at Stade de la Beaujoire.