Marseille boosted as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nayef Aguerd cleared to face Union-Saint Gilloise & Monaco | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille have received a significant lift ahead of a crucial week, with both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nayef Aguerd now available for the trip to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League and the Ligue 1 clash against AS Monaco.

Originally set to join their national teams on 8 December for AFCON preparations, the pair will now remain with OM until 15 December after FIFA agreed to push back the mandatory release date by one week – a decision heavily influenced by lobbying from European clubs, including Marseille.

Speaking on RMC Sport the day before the announcement, OM sporting director Mehdi Benatia hinted that compromise was close. “All clubs are working in the same direction to keep their internationals for as long as possible. I hope there will be common sense and that we can keep them until the 15th.”That wish has now been granted.

For De Zerbi, it changes everything. Aubameyang has been indispensable since returning from injury, contributing eight goals and eight assists, while Aguerd has stabilised a defence that struggled earlier in the campaign. The pair will also feature in OM–Monaco, a direct battle in the race for the Ligue 1 podium.

However, they will still be absent for the Coupe de France round of 64 which will be the first competitive fixture they are expected to miss due to AFCON duty.GFFN | George Boxall