If the mood is rather gloomy in Paris, the Marseillais, meanwhile, are still hovering. After their historic victory at the Vélodrome against PSG in the Coupe de France this week (2-1), Igor Tudor’s men did it again this Saturday against Clermont (0-2), on the occasion of the 23rd day of Ligue 1. With this success, the Marseille club regains its place as runner-up to Monaco and recovers five lengths from PSG in the standings.
What you must remember
While the kick-off was delayed by almost 50 minutes due to incidents around the Gabriel-Montpied stadium, the Marseillais failed to be surprised by Clermontois, well in place defensively and who did not hesitate to exploit counter spaces. The Auvergnats have several chances but come up against an excellent Pau Lopez (11th, 45 + 1st, 77th), before scoring a goal disallowed for an offside position by Grejohn Kyei (23rd).
Still dominating and offensive (15 shots, five on target), the Marseillais opened the scoring with a penalty from Alexis Sanchez just before the break (43rd), after a handball from Cham on a free kick from Malinovskyi. Kaboré is even close to aggravating the score on a long shot, which ends on the crossbar of Mory Diaw (49th).
Player: Alexis Sanchez
Decidedly, the Chilean is walking on water this season. Arrived free of any contract this summer, Alexis Sanchez makes the good days of the Marseille people. Already sparkling against Paris this week, the “Niño maravilla” proved decisive once again by scoring his penalty with a flat foot and scoring his eighth goal of the season in Ligue 1. Insatiable, he scored twice at the end of the meeting (80th), after a good collective sequence, putting an end to Clermont hopes. He then gives way to the new Marseille recruit, Vitinha (83rd).
The phrase: “They whistle imaginary fouls”
At halftime, Clermont striker Saîf-Eddine Khaoui strongly criticized the arbitration decisions at the microphone of Canal Plus: “We managed to score a goal which was refused. Afterwards with the referees, there is always a problem, we can’t talk to them, they whistle imaginary faults, it’s a shame for football. »