The Marseillais had a great opportunity to redeem themselves. After seven very complicated days, between the heavy defeat against PSG, at the Vélodrome last Sunday (0-3), and the surprise elimination in the Coupe de France in front of Annecy (2-2, 7-6 pens), the men of Igor Tudor badly needed three more points and a small morale boost.
“We had no choice, already in the attitude, underlined Valentin Rongier at the microphone of Prime. We really wanted to show that we blamed each other, that we had failed. Tonight is the best way to respond. There are inevitably matches where we are not beautiful, nor good, but we have to take three points. We struck a blow tonight. »
The great opposition offered this Sunday evening, at Roazhon Park, by Stade Rennais almost deprived them of this pleasure. Fifth in Ligue 1, the Bretons also had points to take to take advantage of the missteps of Monaco (3rd, 2-2 against Troyes) and Lens (4th, 1-1 in the derby, against Lille).
The first period saw the two teams go blow for blow. From the start, a dangerous strike from the start of the match by Veretout (1st), a strike just too crossed by Ünder (9th) and a tense face-to-face won by Mandanda against Clauss (12th). Then a highlight of Rennes, more borrowed from Marseille: a bar, hit by Gouiri (15th), a point-blank shot from Toko Ekambi, saved by Lopez (31st).
OM big winner of the weekend
Faced with such a commitment on both sides, and a great tactical duel between two great teams in this Ligue 1, it’s hard to imagine leaving Roazhon Park without seeing a goal. There will only be one. Inspired, Veretout quickly plays a free kick in a badly placed Rennes defense, finds Ünder who knocks over towards Kolasinac, for his 4th goal of the season in Ligue 1 (0-1, 57th).
The Rennais, who had lost Doku to injury in the first period, tried to push at the end of the match. Attempts in quick succession from Toko Ekambi (76th) and Theate (77th) miss the mark, like a powerful strike from Majer (90th). A final header from Theate is captured by Lopez (94th). “We played a good game overall… we have to react faster, we have to anticipate more. We take a stupid goal. Overall, we are not too worried in front of our surface, ”regrets Baptiste Santamaria at the microphone of Prime.
In a very gray top 5 this weekend, Marseille therefore consolidates its second place, remains 8 points behind PSG and keeps Monaco and Lens at a good distance. Points that will undoubtedly count in the race for Europe.