It was the right evening for a reconciliation. By overcoming Monaco (2-1) after trailing at half-time, OM finally managed to break the curse at the Stade Vélodrome where they had won only once in five matches this season. There were also two great humiliations against PSG (0-3) and Auxerre (1-3).
But with this victory obtained in the 89th minute thanks to a penalty from Mason Greenwood, everything is forgotten.The audience sings and communicates with their players. The lap of dishonor under the bronca against Auxerre turns into a real lap of honor. In the standings, the operation is good as Marseille steals 2nd place in Ligue 1 from Monaco thanks to a better goal difference, six points behind PSG.
The people of Marseille had also received a rather hostile welcome. The banner displayed by CU84 at the bottom of the south curve sets the tone: “Enough fear for the Vélodrome, tonight it’s 3 points! “.
If Gerónimo Rulli avoided a strong cold wave at the start by intervening on Eliesse Ben seghir’s shot (4th), OM tried to increase the intensity. But without making himself truly risky in the last 20 meters despite a lot of ball possession (61% in the 1st half).
Greenwood relieves OM again
And on a poorly executed back pass by Valentin Rongier, the Monegasque counterattack was concluded by Aleksandr Golovin (0-1, 41st). Always brilliant but frequently enough physically fragile, the 28-year-old Russian midfielder, the oldest player in the squad (he arrived in 2018), scored his 33rd goal in 218 games, his second of the season.
But a few weeks before Christmas, OM benefits from an unexpected gift to get back into the game. Salisu misses his header, the skilled Neal Maupay who follows him well, passes the ball to Luis Henrique who equalizes into an empty net (1-1, 54th) scoring his 6th goal of the season. In Marseille’s goals, the Argentine Gerónimo Rulli was decisive on numerous occasions.
Rather discreet and with numerous turnovers despite some breakthroughs, Mason Greenwood then turned the Vélodrome around and saved his average match by converting his awarded penalty after seeing VAR (2-1, 89th) for a handball by Christian mawissa on a center by Amir Murillo. . The Englishman scored his 9th goal of the season and became the 2nd scorer in Ligue 1 behind the parisian Bradley Barcola (10 goals).
The relief is enormous for OM and for Roberto De Zerbi with very demonstrative joy. The commando operation with a 4-day greenfield this week in Mallemort (Bouches-du-Rhône) worked for marseille, whose season may have taken the right direction after this success in the form of a founding act.
“it’s our best match of the season at the Vélodrome,” Roberto De Zerbi told DAZN. We had a great game against Monaco, who are a great team. We were scared in front of our fans. But we managed to free ourselves. We helped each other, we stuck together. We had 3 good days of training together and it showed tonight. Football is also a question of the mind. I wanted to win so badly. We have 26 points,I’m happy.But this team can do even better. »
After Wednesday’s defeat in the Champions League against Benfica (2-3),the week is cruel for Monaco. “It’s a big disappointment, we didn’t deserve to lose this match,” regretted Adi Hütter. One point, it would have been normal when we saw our opportunities. We gave two gifts. It is indeed tough to accept this defeat. like against Benfica, we made mistakes. We need to correct this and learn. But we’ll be back. »
What were the key factors that contributed to Olympique de Marseille‘s success in their recent match against AS Monaco?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Good evening, and welcome to another edition of Time.news. Tonight,we have the pleasure of sitting down with renowned football analyst,Dr. Emily Fields, to dissect the recent match between Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco. Emily, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Fields: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to discuss the dynamics of football, especially after a thrilling match like that one.
Editor: it was indeed a remarkable evening for Marseille,overcoming a half-time deficit to win 2-1. What do you think contributed to their success,especially given their recent struggles at the Stade Vélodrome?
Dr. Fields: There were a few key factors at play.First, the psychological aspect cannot be overlooked.Marseille had struggled at home, with only one win in five previous matches, which undoubtedly weighed on the players’ minds. However, the resilience they showed in the second half is a testament to their character. Mason Greenwood’s penalty in the 89th minute was incredibly clutch and must have reignited the belief in this squad.
Editor: Absolutely! And the atmosphere in the stadium seemed electric after the win. How significant do you think the fans’ support was in changing the narrative from a ‘lap of dishonor’ to a ‘lap of honor’?
Dr. Fields: Fan support is crucial in football. After the humiliating losses to PSG and Auxerre, the fans had every reason to be disappointed. Yet, after this comeback win, the emotional connection between the players and supporters was reignited. The chants and celebrations foster a sense of unity and can uplift a team, often providing the extra motivation needed to perform under pressure.
Editor: it sounds like the victory was more than just a three-point gain in the standings; it was a morale booster. Speaking of which, this win allowed Marseille to leapfrog Monaco into second place in Ligue 1. What does this mean for their chances in the title race, especially with PSG six points ahead?
Dr. Fields: This victory is pivotal for Marseille, not just for the points but for their confidence as they push for consistent performances. While PSG is still a formidable opponent, anything can happen in football. If Marseille can build on this momentum and address their previous inconsistencies, they could remain competitive. It’s about maintaining form and harvesting the energy from last night’s win as they head into future matches.
editor: That’s an insightful viewpoint. Given the ups and downs of a long season,what advice would you give to Marseille as they look to maintain this newfound form?
Dr. Fields: They need to stay grounded and focus on one game at a time. Building mental resilience will be key; they must learn to manage the pressure of expectations after a significant win like this. Additionally, maintaining their defensive solidity while increasing their attacking creativity will be vital to sustaining their place in the top tier of Ligue 1.
Editor: Wise words, Emily.As we wrap up, what’s your overall take on Marseille’s trajectory following this match, and how do you foresee their next steps?
Dr. Fields: If they can channel the energy from this win and strike a balance between defense and attack, they could very well cement their place in the Champions League positions. However, it will also depend on how they respond to setbacks—consistency is the name of the game in the league. I believe we may witness an exciting second half of the season for Marseille fans.
editor: thank you, Emily, for your expert analysis. It’ll be fascinating to see how the season unfolds for Marseille. This has been a riveting discussion!
Dr. Fields: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out.
