Evra, Lizarazu, Barthez: before Pavard, mixed returns for French internationals at OM | OneFootball

Benjamin Pavard was at fault for a Monaco goal in Marseille’s 2-1 defeat on Sunday, and he has struggled at OM. According to Le Progres, it recalls other France internationals whose Marseille returns were rocky.

After seven seasons at Bayern Munich, Bixente Lizarazu joined OM in summer 2004 seeking a final challenge. He looked off the pace and erred, notably a back-pass that gave PSG’s Bernard Mendy a goal. After José Anigo left and Philippe Troussier arrived, he returned to Munich in January 2005.

Fabien Barthez came back in late 2003 from Manchester United, debuting in January 2004 and helping Marseille reach the UEFA Cup final. He was sent off before half-time for an irregular challenge on Mista in that game. Later seasons dipped, and a February 2005 spitting incident on a referee in a WAC Casablanca friendly brought a six-month ban, before his summer 2006 exit.

Patrice Evra rejoined Ligue 1 in January 2017 after 11 years at Manchester United and Juventus, often starting and sometimes captaining as Rudi Garcia’s team finished well. Next season he lost his place to Jordan Amavi, playing only four Ligue 1 matches and two in the Europa League. After kicking a Marseille supporter before a match in Guimaraes, his deal was ended by mutual consent in November 2017.

Pavard’s current plight fits a pattern of celebrated French internationals whose OM homecomings proved brief, uneven or controversial.

Source: Le Progres