OM face relegation warning after three straight defeats

Marseille have received an early warning about their season after a run of three defeats raised concerns over a possible relegation fight. Former OM midfielder Robert Pirès has urged the club to respond quickly, recalling how close his side came to dropping into Ligue 2 in 1999-2000.

The difficult sequence followed an opening 4-0 win against Strasbourg. Marseille then lost 2-0 at Monaco, 3-2 at home to Paris FC and 1-0 at Rennes. All three opponents are competing for European places, making the results a serious test of Bruno Genesio’s team rather than isolated setbacks. The losses have also come before Sunday’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.

The schedule will become more demanding next week when Marseille begin their Europa League campaign. With the squad described as weakened, the club faces pressure to recover before domestic and continental commitments increase. The recent form offers little margin for another poor run, although the available results do not establish that relegation is already imminent.

Pirès’ warning is rooted in his own Marseille experience. After reaching the 1999 UEFA Cup final and finishing second in France, OM won only nine of 34 league matches the following season and avoided relegation on goal difference against Nancy. He has said he does not want the current players to repeat that struggle, while stressing that the club must find a response if it still aims for Europe.