2023-10-05 20:40:00
After their spectacular draw in Amsterdam against Ajax (3-3), OM welcome the English from Brighton with the desire to stop the downward spiral and this series of five matches in a row without a victory. The Olympians took the match from the right end and settled into the opposing camp, with intensity and pressing. Amine Harit is at the origin of the first good situation with a free kick from 25 meters slammed for a corner by Steele (7th).
Two goals in two minutes
OM wants to show another face to its supporters. On a movement initiated by Jonathan Clauss on the right side, the full-back recalled by Didier Deschamps crosses back for Chancel Mbemba who deceives the opposing goalkeeper with the flat of his foot (1-0, 18th). In difficulty in recent weeks, the Congolese central defender offers himself a breath of fresh air with this goal.
With this opener conceded, Brighton takes a blow to the head and loses its means: captain Lewis Dunk makes an error which benefits Amine Harit. The Moroccan international crosses for Jordan Veretout who beats Steele again (2-0, 20th), OM are already making the break! Gennaro Gattuso poses a lot of tactical problems for his compatriot Roberto De Zerbi, whose team cannot get the ball out well from the kick-off.
The Marseille team still had a little scare: on a corner, Valentin Rongier touched the ball with his arm. Video refereeing was requested but after reflection, Mykola Balakin did not point out the penalty spot but rather a foul from a Brighton player who had relied on the Marseille captain to rise into the air (24th).
The Seagulls showed a better face at the end of the first period and it took a very good Pau Lopez to get out a cross header from Ansu Fati (41st) who was heading towards goal. A few minutes later, the Spanish goalkeeper was called upon again and succeeded in his duel against Danny Welbeck (45th). OM returns to the locker room with a two-goal lead.
Lamptey escapes red
Upon returning from the locker room, the Olympians pile up bad news: Veretout is the victim of a muscular problem and has to give way to Ounahi (21st). A few moments later, Amine Harit writhes in pain after a sole on Lamptey’s ankle. The Moroccan international still holds his place. OM are no longer as focused as in the first period and see their opponent come back: on a cross from Mitoma, Pascal Gross is alone at the penalty spot to take over and restart his team (2-1, 55th).
OM tries to score a third goal to breathe and get back ahead of their opponent. Vitinha is not far from achieving this objective: after replacing Aubameyang, the Portuguese striker escapes and makes a good hook but Lewis Dunk returns at the last minute (66th). Marseille ended up retreating and conceding numerous chances. Discreet during the first act, Mitoma is much more enterprising and begins to do damage to the Olympian defense, like his two breakthroughs (79th, 81st).
Brighton will eventually come back to the score after a penalty obtained by Lamptey following a foul by Clauss. Entering the game ten minutes before, João Pedro did not ask any questions and put the two teams back on level terms (2-2, 87th). Olympique de Marseille failed to move forward and had to settle for a frustrating draw after dominating a good part of the match. We will have to beat AEK Athens in three weeks at home to finally achieve a first success in this Europa League campaign.
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