2023-10-05 20:54:51
Gennaro Gattuso will still have to wait to celebrate his first success on the Marseille bench. Facing Brighton, for the second day of the Europa League, the Italian coach and his players were unable to end five games without a victory in all competitions since August 26. After leading 2-0 and seeming to control the match, the Olympians gave in at the end of the match.
What you must remember
Between a team defeated in Monaco (2-3) and agitated behind the scenes in recent weeks and another corrected at Aston Villa (1-6) last weekend, we should not expect an overflow of confidence. In a formation geared towards the offensive, Valentin Rongier’s teammates nevertheless took matters into their own hands from the kick-off, putting desire into the intentions and intensity into the duels.
The Olympians could, however, have been surprised by a completely missed clearance from Pau Lopez (reminiscent of that of the Parisian Marquinhos against Newcastle on Wednesday in the Champions League) poorly exploited by the British attackers. But two short minutes were enough to capsize the more than 60,000 spectators on Boulevard Michelet (many of whom had difficulty arriving on time due to huge traffic jams). In the 19th minute, Mbemba took advantage of an excellent overflow from Clauss and a precise cross from the penalty spot to deceive Steele with the flat of his right foot (1-0).
Barely time to resume the game and Harit takes advantage of a big mistake from Dunk to escape on the right and serve Veretout in the middle of the area. The former Roma player did not miss the opportunity to double the lead with a shot under Steele’s stomach (2-0, 20th).
After being dangerous at the end of the first period, the British stepped up their game after the restart and reduced the score with a strike from Gross (2-1, 54th). The Marseillais are retreating and are much less enterprising. Until being logically punished four minutes from the end with a foul by Clauss on Lamptey in the area and a penalty converted by Joao Pedro…
Man of the match: Pau Lopez
Before this European Thursday evening, the Spanish OM goalkeeper remained on ten goals conceded in three matches (three in Amsterdam, four in Paris and three in Monaco). Not all of them are attributable to him. But his excitement and hesitations were quick to severely annoy the Marseille supporters.
And the start of the match by the ex-Roma goalkeeper did nothing to reassure them. In the 11th minute, his missed clearance could have cost his team dearly and fueled even more criticism. In just five minutes, Lopez managed to avoid the worst.
First in the 42nd minute with a spectacular dive on an uncrossed lofted header from Ansu Fati. Then in the 45th + 1 with a kick in front of Welbeck, who went on the edge of offside behind the defense. In the second half, he could do nothing about Gross’s recovery (54th) which allowed Roberto de Zerbi’s men to get back into the match. In the 73rd, Lopez had his fists firm to repel a cross shot from Mitoma. Enough to find, despite the draw, a little credit in the spans of the Vélodrome.
The number: 2
Two draws, two points. Before the third day, the Marseillais are in second place in group B tied with Ajax Amsterdam behind AEK Athens, who they will host on October 26. This Thursday, the Greeks and Dutch parted in a draw (1-1).
#Europa #League #leading #Marseille #finally #concedes #draw #Brighton