Athletic Bilbao are set to face Olympique de Marseille in their final pre-season friendly at the Velodrome on Sunday, but the stadium will not be full. According to L’Équipe, the French club has sold around 40,000 tickets for the 67,000-seat stadium, hoping to reach 45,000 with late sales and tourists. The low attendance reflects growing frustration among Marseille fans due to the club's lack of signings, despite their financial commitments. While other Ligue 1 teams strengthen their squads, Marseille have yet to make any new signings.
Why is attendance so low?
Frustration among Marseille fans is growing due to the club's inactivity in the transfer market. Despite significant spending, the club has not announced any new signings, leading to discontent. The low attendance for the match against Athletic Bilbao reflects this frustration, especially as other Ligue 1 teams are strengthening their squads.
Impact on the match
Although the match is a pre-season friendly, the low attendance could affect the atmosphere at the Velodrome. Athletic Bilbao, looking to fine-tune their form before the start of La Liga, will face a Marseille side with doubts about their immediate future. The game will serve as a gauge for both teams, but the lack of local support could be a factor.
Player reactions
Thomas Meunier, former Lille player and now at Sunderland, spoke about his departure from the club. The 34-year-old Belgian defender revealed that Lille president Olivier Létang made him an offer, but it did not meet his expectations. Meunier, who had two strong seasons at Lille, expected a greater effort from the president. He ultimately joined Sunderland on a free transfer, stating that the decision was more his than the club's.
The match between Athletic Bilbao and Marseille promises to be an interesting duel, although the lack of local fans could detract from the excitement. Both teams will look to use this game to assess their readiness before the start of their respective leagues.
