The year 2026 started in the worst way for Marseille. Playing at home, De Zerbi's team lost to Nantes (2-0) in a match in which they played with just nine units. Luís Castro, former Nantes coach, debuted with a victory for Levante. Even with everything the same - when it comes to units on the field - Nantes showed early on what they were coming for. With the Portuguese Anthony Lopes starting, the away team still scored a goal eight minutes into the game. However, the goal was disallowed for offside. The game started to get complicated for Marseille in the 26th minute. Arthur Vermeeren had a harsh tackle on Anthony Lopes, seeing a straight red card. Nantes took advantage of the numerical advantage and opened the scoring through the feet of Fabien Centonze (31m). In the second half the situation became even more complicated for the Marseillais. Nadir, who already had a yellow card, stopped a counterattack and received a second yellow card and consequently a red card (56m). Marseille were then reduced to nine units for almost the entire second half. Until the end, De Zerbi's team didn't give up and even managed to balance the game. However, what kept the home team in the game was Rulli, an Argentine goalkeeper who was making good saves. However, the goalkeeper could do nothing when, in the 88th minute, Rémy Cabella, formerly of Marseille, scored a penalty to seal the game. With this defeat (2-0), Marseille enters the year losing and remains in third place with 32 points. Nantes remains in relegation place - it is now 16th with 14 points. Check out the games and standings of the French League.