Likely Line-Ups
Marseille will be without centre half Stephane M’Bia until October- he suffered a broken foot in last week’s match at Auxerre, with the injury confirmed after he’d played the 90 minutes. With Andre-Pierre Gignac also still injured, the in-form pair of Mathieu Valbuena and Loic Remy will be hoping to continue their impressive individual form and fire the hosts to their first victory since the incredible 5-4 Champions Trophy win over Lille at the end of July.
Saint-Etienne will be without the services of Carlos Bocanegro- the defender has left for Glasgow Rangers this week. Their back-four have been in imperious form of late- a look at the WhoScored.com ratings shows three of their four top-rated players are defenders, with Jean-Pascal Mignot particularly resilient in both games so far. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a stand-out on the right wing and looks likely to the main goal threat-with Gonzalo Bergessio joining Catania in midweek, he may find himself up front.
Right Flank Creators
Lucho Gonzalo is usually the creative threat for Marseille and it’s perhaps no surprise to hear Arsenal have been linked with a move for the playmaker in light of Cesc Fabregas’ transfer to Barcelona. So far this season, however, it’s been Mathieu Valbuena who has taken up the mantle of chief creator for Deschamps’ side. With his side 2-1 down at home to Sochaux in their opening game of the season, Valbuena came on as a 66th minute sub and, playing front right in a 4-3-3, has assisted all 3 goals the club have subsequently scored.
A look at Marseille’s play in last week’s draw at Auxerre shows just how much they use the flanks in their 4-3-3: 40% on the left and 40% on the right, with just 20% down the middle, and Valbuena has utilised this width to brilliant effect.
He has averaged more key passes (2.5) and more crosses (2) than any Marseille player so far this season and has also had 1.5 shots per game, picking up 1 Man of the Match award on his way to an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.91.
Saint-Etienne’s main midfield threat has also come down the right flank. The performances of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been vital in their early rise to prominence and a look at the attack sides of their recent home win over Nancy illustrates this- 48% of all attacks came down the right hand side. Emerick Aubameyang has averaged 3.5 shots per game, scoring once, and is also the side’s main creator, with 2 key passes per game.
He’s not just a threat offensively, though- the twenty-two year old has made a fantastic 4 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game, illustrating a real desire to battle for possession. Emerick Aubameyang has picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 7.27 for his performances so far, the fourth most impressive Saint-Etienne player.
Key Battle
While Valbuena sets up the chances for Marseille, Loic Remy is the man who’s been tucking them away. The forward is on a hot streak of form right now, finding the net in each of his last four games for club and country.
Remy has averaged 3 shots per game- joint-top with Gonzalez for goal threat- and has made 1.5 successful dribbles per game. He’s also been a strong creative presence, with 2 key passes per game indicative of his all-round menace up front. Remy isn’t the best in the air, however, winning just 33% of his aerial duels in 2011/12.
With 2 goals so far, Remy is the joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 and will be brimming with confidence coming into this one. If Saint Etienne are to stand any chance at the Stade Velodrome, they will need to find a way to nullify his threat.
It’s a good job for the visitors, then, that they have Jean Pascal Mignot . The centre half’s displays have been crucial to Saint-Etienne; their opponents have mustered 9 goal attempts per game, the second lowest tally in the league, and Mignot has been key to their resilience at the back.
He may have made just 1 tackle per game but his 4 interceptions and 6 clearances are the best in each category of any Saint Etienne player- a clear indication of his importance to this side. Mignot is far superior in the air than Remy, winning 60% of aerial duels in comparison. He’s also played a part going forward, assisting 1 of his side’s 3 goals and has picked up 1 Man of the Match award too, for an average 7.50 WhoScored.com rating.
With both players in such good form, the Remy-Mignot match-up looks likely to be a fascinating one. Three points may just rely on the outcome.
