Himad Abdelli keeps delivering for Olympique de Marseille: 3 league goals and an assist in the Europa League. Moved to attacking midfield by Bruno Genesio, the OM coach, the Algeria international is back to his best form.
Himad Abdelli is enjoying a much better start to the season than last year with Olympique de Marseille. The Algeria international attacking midfielder already has 3 league goals and an assist in the Europa League, against Besiktas, according to OneFootball/CoeurMarseillais. Stats that stand in stark contrast to his output last season.
This revival comes with a change of position: Bruno Genesio has played him in attacking midfield since the match against Angers. A repositioning that frees the Algerian and allows him to fully express his technique, far from the defensive duties he had under his two predecessors.
A paying repositioning
Under Roberto De Zerbi, the former OM coach, then Habib Beye, also a former coach of the club, Himad Abdelli played in defensive midfield, a position that is not his preferred one, recalls OneFootball/CoeurMarseillais. Since the match against Angers, Bruno Genesio has played him in attacking midfield: relieved of defensive duties, he can focus on the attacking side and make the most of his technique.
This new attacking setup is bearing fruit. The player has become the outfield player most used by Genesio at OM, according to the same source.
Summer work rewarded
Himad Abdelli’s revival is not only down to this tactical repositioning, according to OneFootball/CoeurMarseillais. The Algeria international worked hard during the summer break and lost 8 kg, returning to his ideal weight and form.
The club’s context also seems calmer with Bruno Genesio, described as calmer than Roberto De Zerbi, as well as with the presence of president Stéphane Richard, again according to the same source.
Leverkusen in sight
OM are on a run of four consecutive wins in Ligue 1, but the European stage remains trickier: the club from Marseille have lost their three Europa League matches, according to OnzeMondial and Football Club de Marseille. A contrast that weighs heavily before the visit of Bayer Leverkusen, Thursday 5 November at 21:00, in the Europa League.
A large turnover is expected for this match. The source does not allow us to say whether Himad Abdelli will start or be rested.