2023-10-26 01:26:56
Aubameyang, Correa and Vitinha symbolize a Marseille attack lacking realism and leadership, as it hosts AEK Athens in the Europa League on Thursday (9 p.m.).
The month of October is nearing its twilight, and yet the harvest continues at the Olympique de Marseille. Saturday, in Nice, OM left Allianz Riviera empty-handed (1-0), haunted by its failures in front of the Gym goal. A bad habit. Despite its efforts in the summer transfer window, Marseille is unfaithful to its slogan of going “straight to the point”. The latest arrivals, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Joaquin Correa, and center forward Vitinha are the symbols.
Aubameyang, the least realistic striker in Ligue 1
«Finally the valve is open, it was a little rusty», smiled Aubameyang following the victory against Le Havre (3-0) punctuated by his first goal in Ligue 1 this season, after 8 matches including 7 starts. This afternoon of October 8 seemed like a sham. Returning from the break, against Nice on Saturday, the Gabonese spoiled a face-to-face encounter in front of Marcin Bulka (73rd). Aubameyang knows how to create chances. He did it again, during a final delicate period, at Arsenal, then at FC Barcelona and even at Chelsea last season.
We still have to conclude. The “expected goals” statistic, which measures the number of goals a player “should” have scored based on the quality of his chances, is causing harm to Aubameyang. The Marseillais “should” have scored 4.5 goals in L1 this season, instead of just one. His differential of -3.5 is the worst in the championship just after Jérémy Le Douaron of Brest (-3.6).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first goal of the season in Ligue 1 against Le Havre on October 8. CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP
«When young people see players like him who give their all, they can understand football», Yet swore his coach, Gennaro Gattuso, after the success against Le Havre. Expected as a leader at 34 years old despite a certain decline, Aubameyang does not erase his faults within a team whose margin for error is fine.
Correa, ignition delay
6 matches, 4 starts and never decisive. Marseille supporters had high hopes when they saw Joaquin Correa arrive on loan from Inter Milan. For the moment, they mainly see why the Argentinian has barely made any impact in two years with the Nerazzurri. Confined to the left side, under Marcelino and Gattuso, he seemed borrowed with the ball and unavailable without it. Its lack of dynamism leaves one wondering. He cannot be tired of his two seasons as a substitute at Inter, nor of the international sequences: he has not been called up with the Abiceleste since… his package for the 2022 World Cup, that Argentina won without him.
SEE ALSO – The best of Joaquin Correa at Inter Milan (2021-2023)
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«He needs time to adapt with a change of country and championship, defended his compatriot and teammate at OM, Leonardo Balerdi, a month ago. It’s totally different, more physical. He needs playing time. He is a player who has qualities and he will show them, I am convinced. » Hit in the ankle against Brighton on October 5 (2-2), he remains uncertain for the reception of AEK Athens this Thursday (9 p.m.).
Vitinha, le flou total
But what is Vitinha doing in Marseille, and what is Marseille doing with Vitinha? The Olympian club had dropped €32 million at the end of the winter transfer window to acquire the Braga striker, author of 13 goals and 4 assists in 27 matches at mid-season. At OM, it’s 27 matches, 4 goals and an assist. One day a starter, the other a substitute, but always pale, as if the wind from the Old Port had blown through his bronchi for three days non-stop.
The Portuguese, 23, has never hidden his homesickness. “When I was sure I was coming to Marseille, I didn’t even call my parents because I didn’t dare tell them, he told Free in June. I called my brother, I told him: “I’m going to play in Marseille.” And I hung up because I couldn’t talk anymore. It wasn’t okay, it was very difficult when I came here. My adaptation has been difficult because I am far from them.» A context with which OM would be more lenient without worrying wanderings with the ball, or a random sense of timing in the area.
«I respect a coach’s decisions, but a striker must have confidence», lamented President Pablo Longoria in June, in a barely veiled criticism of Igor Tudor who had just resigned. “He experiences the pressure that all offensive players experience at OM, Longoria pointed out the following month. We have to live with it, it’s not a criticism. There is also the pressure of the transfer price, we must not lie to ourselves.» In four matches on the Marseille bench, Gattuso has never started Vitinha. The rhythm of matches every three days can help diversify the playing time. But with players who don’t have their heads in the bucket, it would be a little simpler.
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