2023-12-15 00:08:51
Le but by Joao Pedro ANDREW BOYERS / REUTERS
OM lost against Brighton (1-0) this Thursday evening in England, during the 6th day of Group B of the Europa League. A result which means that the Phocaeans finish in 2nd place.
Olympique de Marseille traveled to England this Thursday evening to face Brighton on the pitch at the American Express Community’s Stadium in the town of Falmer, during the 6th and final day of Group B of the Europa League. A fairly important match for the Phocaeans who had to at least secure a draw to consolidate their place as leader of the group. A first position meant direct access to the round of 16 without having to go through the 16th with the clubs eliminated and transferred from the Champions League. Well the Marseillais, despite their defeat (1-0), provided the essentials.
In the first half, Brighton played their game well with some well-constructed opportunities on well-oiled combinations, relying in particular on the trio in great form made up of Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra. Despite gaining possession, intense pressing and a few opportunities created, the Seagulls nevertheless failed to open the scoring or get any big clear chances from this start. Certainly, they clearly dominated the debates but without being dangerous, facing a tired Marseillais lacking inspiration who struggled to restart cleanly and quickly. There was no real offensive burst from the side of the Phocaeans who were suffering – even if Jonathan Clauss hit the crossbar on a poorly deflected shot by Pascal Gross (15th).
João Pedro in sauveur
In the second act, the Seagulls resumed at the same pace with intense pressure and breakthroughs on the sides, still carried by Mitoma (48th) and Adingra (57th). However, Marseille almost opened the scoring. Indeed, after a nice breakthrough and a one-two with Murillo, Amine Harit found himself in a shooting position in the center and landed a shot from the right which crashed into Steele’s post. The ball then bounced off the back of the English goalkeeper before defender Dunk came to repel the danger. The Phocéens followed the next minutes well with solid opportunities from Clauss (68th) and Ounahi (71st). But in the end, it was Brighton who opened the scoring with a fantastic goal from Joao Pedro. On a one-touch combination involving four players, the Brazilian striker landed a powerful pivoting shot which lodged in the top corner of Pau Lopez (88th). The AMEX Stadium exploded with joy at Falmer, as did Roberto De Zerbi.
With this result, OM completes the group stage with only one defeat in the competition. With this setback this evening, the Phocéens officially finish in 2nd place in group B, meaning that Gennaro Gattuso’s players will have to go through the round of 16. In the other Group B match, Ajax Amsterdam crushed AEK (3-1).
#falls #Brighton