Paris (AFP) – Lucas Ocampos snatched a late 1-0 win for Marseille as Claudio Ranieri’s injury-depleted Nantes suffered their second Ligue 1 defeat of the new campaign on Saturday.

Marseille join Lyon — 2-1 winners at Rennes on Friday — provisionally top of Ligue 1 to give Rudi Garcia’s side a timely boost ahead of next week’s Europa League first playoff round game at Slovenia’s Domzale.

Former Leicester City boss Ranieri’s side followed last week’s 3-0 loss to Lille with another defeat after an unprecedented injury spate in the first half hour.

Right back Leo Dubois had already been declared unfit just before the game forcing Ranieri to reorganise his starting 11.

But the Italian was despairing as midfielder Valentin Rongier suffered a shoulder injury early and was forced off followed by striker Yacine Bammou and midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic — both with muscle problems.

“It’s the first time in my career that I’ve had to change three players in 25 minutes,” declared a frustrated Ranieri.

“Luck isn’t on our side right now. But their replacements were good and the second half was very good.”

Nantes held on largely thanks to goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, who arrived this summer from Fiorentina, and pulled off six saves in the first half.

There was relief when Florian Thauvin’s late goal was refused as offside but the Romanian keeper was unable to prevent Argentine Ocampos at the far post from opening after 86 minutes. 

The Canaries missed two golden chances to snatch a point with two quick-fire Emiliano Sala headers hitting the post.

Meanwhile, last season’s surprise package Nice suffered their second setback falling 2-1 at home to promoted Troyes to dampen confidence ahead of next week’s Champions League play-off at Napoli.

The Riviera outfit, third last season but beaten 1-0 at Saint-Etienne in their opener, were without their two star players, the injured Mario Balotelli and new Dutch signing Wesley Sneijder, who watched from the stands.

Lyon followed on last weekend’s 4-0 thumping of Strasbourg with a 2-1 win at Rennes.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Neymar’s much-hyped Paris Saint-Germain debut on Sunday at Brittany side Guingamp after his world record move from Barcelona.