The Olympique de Marseille lost to Monaco (2-1) on Sunday evening at the end of the 28th day of Ligue 1. During this match, Habib Beye’s men, impressive in the first half, could not rely on Nayef Aguerd. An absence planned due to the player’s operation only widens the gap in points between the matches they play and those they watch from a distance, as highlighted by Foot Mercato.
Informative Statistics in the League
In Ligue 1, the numbers show a significant difference. Without Nayef Aguerd, the Olympian club lost 50% of their games this season (6 draws in 12 matches). In his presence, this rate drops to 19%, with only 3 losses in 16 appearances. This data illustrates the 30-year-old defender’s impact on the team’s results according to the specialized website.
A More Nuanced Overall Assessment
In the Champions League, the analysis is more balanced. Nayef Aguerd was on the field during victories against Ajax and Union Saint-Gilloise, but also during defeats against Sporting Lisbon, Atalanta, and Bruges. An alternation of results that does not reveal a trend as clear as in the league. Absent during the Champions Trophy due to the African Cup of Nations, Nayef Aguerd was present during the elimination at home in the French Cup against Toulouse. Here too, his influence is not enough to reverse the outcome of a match.
An Important Status Despite Limited Playing Time
While these statistics highlight his importance, they also reveal another reality. The second biggest signing of the summer transfer window and among the best-paid players in the squad, Nayef Aguerd ranks only 10th in terms of playing time, with 59% of the minutes played. This is where the problem lies, as discussed in the recent Talk Show focusing on defense, which you can watch in the video.
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