Led by an excellent Payet, OM won against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League Conference (2-1), Find the Tops and Flops of this meeting.
TOPS
Unleashed Payet
What a show! In all good moves, Dimitri Payet notably achieved a first stratospheric period. Omnipresent, inspired and effective. Author of a great decisive pass for Gerson on the opener, the Reunionese blew up the Vélodrome just before the break, by scoring a sublime goal. A distant half-volley, all loose, which came to lodge under the bar of a too short Paschalakis. His loss of ball at the origin of the PAOK goal hardly taints his enormous performance.
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Irreproachable Saliba
Haloed by his new international status, William Saliba delivered a big match in the central Marseille hinge. The former Arsenal player muzzled Akpom well and never let himself be surprised by the Greek offensives. Very solid, he did not hesitate to project himself forward at the end of the match.
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FLOPS
More incidents in the stands
A despairing air of deja vu. After a pre-match marked by numerous incidents since Wednesday, some supporters still “distinguished” themselves during the match, played in a very tense atmosphere. In addition to the cracking of many smoke bombs and the explosion of several agricultural bombs, events took a much more serious turn in the second half when Payet, again, was the target of projectiles. Coming to the foot of the stand occupied by the Greek ultras to hit a corner, the Reunionese was notably targeted by a firecracker and a piece of glass. Heavy penalties are to be expected.
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OM lose three players for the return
Winner of a small goal, OM will try to ensure their qualification for the semi-finals next Thursday, during a trip to Greece which promises to be hot. For this return match, Jorge Sampaoli will have to do without the services of Gerson, expelled at the end of the match, but also of Boubacar Kamara and Bamba Dieng, warned while they were under suspension. Triple bad news for the Phocaeans, already diminished by the absence of Milik.
Tsingaras exceeded
Still alive in this double confrontation, PAOK recovered well in the second half, after suffering Marseille’s domination throughout the first act. The Greek club didn’t show anything good for forty-five minutes. Completely overwhelmed in the midfield, Charis Tsingaras suffered particularly badly. So much so that his coach decided to take him out at the break, in favor of El Kaddouri. A good choice, the Moroccan deceiving Mandanda three minutes after entering.