2023-08-16 09:39:34
“We share the disappointment of the supporters, football is cruel. The disappointment was enormous for Pablo Longoria, the president of OM and all the members of the club after the elimination during the penalty shootout (5-3), this Tuesday evening, against Panathinaikos after a 2-1 on goal in regulation time. The bitterness of Longoria is understandable, the Marseillais were dominating throughout the meeting: “We had a match where we have nothing to reproach our players, neither in attitude, nor in behavior, or still in the game in general. It’s hard, it’s hard. »
An observation shared by coach Marcellino, at a press conference, after the elimination of his team. “I wanted to say sorry to the supporters. We are all very disappointed with the result. We were very confident to qualify but, given their performance tonight, we can’t blame the players who gave their all. »
Like his coach, Valentin Rongier first had a thought for the Marseille supporters who came in large numbers (63,000) to the Vélodrome, this Monday evening, before pointing out the errors of the first leg, lost 1-0. “If we don’t pass on these two matches, it’s because we don’t deserve to pass. If we replay the qualification ten times, we pass nine times. »
Arbitration decisions are not passed
Author of a hand in the box after additional time, which allowed Panathinaikos to come back to 2-1 and go into overtime, Matteo Guendouzi could have obtained a penalty a few minutes earlier, according to statements Pablo Longoria . The latter pointed to “decisions which are borderline, which we do not share: the penalty on Mattéo (Guendouzi), there is a similar action at the end of the match. But there is always cruelty in this sport » Of the same opinion, Marcellino wanted to comfort his number 6, the only Olympian to have missed his shot during the penalty shootout. Mattéo (Guendouzi) is very sad. He was really unlucky today on the penalty conceded but he has our full support. We are all responsible. »
As a result, the Marseillais will not be present in the next 2023-2024 edition of the Champions League but will be able to nurture ambitions in the Europa League this season. For the Greeks, the road to reach the group stages of C1 continues. They will face Braga, back and forth, at the end of August to clinch their qualification.
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