Ruslan Malinovskyi will make his home debut for Marseille against Lorient this evening, having been called up for Igor Tudor’s starting XI – it will be the Ukrainian’s first start since joining the club. Malinovskyi joined from Serie A side Atalanta on a loan move with an obligation to buy the player set at €10m with €3m-worth of add-ons to the deal.
Malinovskyi made a short appearance during Marseille’s win over ESTAC Troyes last week, where he came off the bench as a substitute. Sporting director Pablo Longoria spoke about a long-held interest in the player which originated for the Olympians’ recruiters at around January 2021 – he has ever since been a transfer target for Marseille.
OM reportedly made multiple approaches to the Serie A side for his signature, but persistence paid off as the Ukrainian is set for a home debut at a sold-out Orange Vélodrome to watch their side face Lorient in a vital Ligue 1 clash.
GFFN | George Boxall
