Montpellier or Marseilles? Teji Savanier or Dimitri Payet? Quick transition or placed attack? Who would have the last word in this Mediterranean derby at the Stade de la Mosson on Monday evening?
The balance tipped on the Marseille side, after the first 45 minutes of domination without genius, nor any real opportunity except for Clauss’ center shot – left with a groin injury in the 24th minute – diverted in extremis on his crossbar by Omlin, the goalkeeper of the MHSC (19th). Victorious over Toulouse 6-1 for the resumption on Thursday, Igor Tudor’s team begins the year as it had finished the previous one, signing at La Mosson its 4th victory in a row at La Mosson.
It’s the status quo at the top of the rankings. Marseille remains 3rd, with 36 points, four units behind Lens, 2nd, and four ahead of Monaco, 4th, PSG (44 points) remaining in command.
From the start of the second period, Nuno Tavares (expelled for a kick to Jullien at the end of the match) was the first to shake the Montpellier nets, powerfully resuming from inside the surface a header from Veretout pushed back by Omlin , the goalkeeper of the MHSC (0-1, 47th).
A quarter of an hour later, OM made the break, Estève scoring with a header against his side, under extreme pressure from Mbemba at the conclusion of a corner kick from the right by Under (0-2, 61st ).
But the threat maintained on the Marseille goal allowed Savanier to reduce the mark on the penalty spot (1-2, 90th + 1), a little late however.
On Saturday, Payet and his comrades will receive Hyères (N2) in the Coupe de France (1/32nd), before moving again to Troyes on Wednesday January 11. A trip that does not frighten the Marseillais, only one defeat away from home so far, mid-October at the Parc des Princes.