On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the AJ Auxerre will host Olympique de Marseille at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps for a highly anticipated match in Ligue 1. The kickoff is set for 21:05, and the game will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Marseille, coming off three consecutive victories, aims to put the past behind them after suffering a surprising 1-3 defeat at home against Auxerre last November. The team managed by Roberto de Zerbi, currently positioned second in Ligue 1 with 46 points, is intent on erasing those memories by claiming victory on Auxerre's turf.
Auxerre, on the other hand, is struggling as they find themselves on a winless streak, having not secured victory since November 24. Currently sitting 12th with 25 points, the team led by Christophe Pélissier hopes to defy the odds and create another upset.” L’Olympique de Marseille se présente à l’Abbé-Deschamps avec l’envie d’effacer la défaite 1-3 à domicile contre l’AJ Auxerre (source not specified),” commented the match preview.
Marseille enters this game as the clear favorite. They have been on fire lately, showcasing dominant performances exemplified by their 5-1 thrashing of Saint-Étienne just last week. The matches prior, victories over Lyon and Angers, have allowed the team to solidify its second-place standing, inching closer to the leaders, Paris Saint-Germain.
“Marseille arrive en Bourgogne avec un statut de favori. Amine Gouiri, auteur d’un doublé, est en grande forme et pourrait être un élément clé pour son équipe,” noted one analysis from prior coverage (source not specified). Gouiri, having quickly adapted to his new surroundings, is turning heads with his goal-scoring capabilities, ready to challenge the Auxerre defense.
Conversely, Auxerre is searching for answers, grappling with five matches without tasting success, which include four losses and one draw. Despite these struggles, their recent performance saw some signs of improvement, with Gaëtan Perrin scoring twice against Brest, earning the team valuable points but still not enough to stave off impending relegation fears.
The last encounter at the Vélodrome left their supporters distraught, and now with the match looming, the players are eager to show they can reclaim their past glory on home ground. “Face à Marseille, les Auxerrois espèrent créer l'exploit afin de s’éloigner définitivement de la zone de relégation,” alluding to the home team's desperate need for points (source not specified).
Referencing the team dynamics, it should also be noted the defensive line of Marseille will be missing their captain, Leonardo Balerdi, who has been suspended. “Les joueurs marseillais devront confirmer leur progression... sans leur capitaine Leonard Balerdi, suspendu,” suggests concerns for the Marseille bench depth against Auxerre’s resilient attack (source not specified).
With everything on the line, the stakes couldn't be higher for both clubs. For Marseille, it is about maintaining momentum as they eye the championship title, and for Auxerre, it is about survival and reclaiming their identity. The fans also play their part, as they fill the stadium with passion and energy, hoping to inspire the players to break their winless run.
This Ligue 1 affair is pivotal not just for this round but could set the tone for how each team approaches the remainder of the season. Both teams have everything to gain and everything to lose.
Football fans can catch all the action on DAZN, a leading streaming service committed to providing exclusive live coverage of Ligue 1 matches. This matchup promises excitement as it carries significant weight for both Auxerre's and Marseille's aspirations this season.