Metz vs Marseille preview - Bielsa: Blame me for slump

Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa has taken responsibility for his side's dismal end to the season.

OM led Ligue 1 for the early part of the campaign but have faded rapidly and trail leaders Paris St Germain by 14 points ahead of Friday evening's game at struggling Metz.

More tellingly, they are three points outside the final European qualifying place held by St Etienne as a consequence of four successive defeats in April - most recently a humbling 5-3 reverse against struggling Lorient in which their former player Jordan Ayew scored twice.

Asked if that run of results had ruined Marseille's season, Bielsa told the club's website: "Of course, the end of the league (campaign) means the season as a whole has fallen short of what it deserved.

"This team has faced an avalanche of adversities, an infinity of adversities.

"I did not manage to resist that but the responsibility is on me and not on the players."

Metz coach Albert Cartier acknowledged Marseille have "come off the road".

But he added in an interview carried on Marseille's website: "Everyone has difficult moments. Marseille have quality players at their disposal who are capable of making the difference. We will see."

Metz have greater difficulties of their own to concern themselves with, lying second-bottom of the table and eight points adrift of the three teams above the relegation zone.

Cartier will not give up hope of survival and said: "It's feasible. There are four matches left, three at home and one at Monaco, and we are eight points behind the first safe position. It is not over."

Metz will have to manage their escape without defender Guido Milan, who will be out for around six months after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee against Paris St Germain on Tuesday.

For Marseille, Abdelaziz Barrada has finally returned to training for the first time since a groin operation in February but will not be ready to feature.

Benjamin Mendy, though, was described by Bielsa as being "in good health" after crashing his car at the club's training ground.

Mendy responded to criticism of his attitude following the bizarre accident by writing on Twitter: "The only thing I have let slip is the wheel of my car. To all the sceptics, see you at the ground this weekend."