The OM is back. After Lens (3-1) and Monaco (2-1), the Marseille team achieved their third consecutive success at Saint-Étienne (2-0) in a sold-out Geoffroy-guichard stadium. OM maintains its 2nd place, tied with Monaco, now five points behind PSG who held on to Auxerre on Friday (0-0). Logically beaten, Saint-Étienne, left in humiliation (5-0 in Rennes), was too limited (8 absent) to really compete with this OM, and dropped to 16th place.
A sign of finaly found stability, Roberto De Zerbi continued the same system (3-4-3) against Lens and Monaco, with only one substitution, Quentin merlin replacing Ulisses Garcia, a lump sum.If Gerónimo Rulli had been approached by Zuriko Davitashvili (3rd), OM would have quickly managed to suffocate the greens. The Marseille team logically opened the scoring after a nice exchange between Neal Maupay and Adrien Rabiot, who followed with a chest shot and a left foot (0-1, 18th).
If his assistant referee had raised his flag to signal offside, Jérôme Brisard awarded the goal after calling VAR. It was the first goal scored by Rabiot, placed a little higher up the pitch, since his arrival at OM. He went to celebrate it in the arms of his coach Roberto De Zerbi.
“I try to adapt to what the coach asks of me, in a higher position,” explained Adrien rabiot on DAZN. I got in quite a bit of action. I feel good, confident, I have freedom. This position suits me well and when things go well, like tonight, we have a lot of fun. My goal is a beautiful collective movement. A first goal with your new colors is always important. Our first period is complete. The team grows stronger as the weeks go by.Victories bring serenity. »
The last time OM reached 30 goals after 14 matchdays was ten years ago, in the 2014-2015 season, with Marcelo Bielsa on the bench.
After the period of doubt following the defeats against PSG (0-3) and Auxerre (1-3), De Zerbi’s touch is starting to show itself more and more on the pitch. Considering the number of risky situations, the Stéphanois, totally overwhelmed by their unprecedented five-man defence, can be considered happy to return to the locker room with only one goal conceded.They can also thank their very good goalkeeper Gauthier Larsonneur.
OM recovered thanks to a penalty caused and converted by Greenwood (0-2, 65th).If Larsonneur had blocked his attempt, the Englishman followed up well and scored his tenth goal of the season. He is the 2nd scorer in ligue 1, tied with Parisian Bradley Barcola, behind Jonathan David of Lille (11). For Saint-Étienne it is a sad record with the eighth penalty conceded this season and all of them converted.No team has done worse in the five major European leagues.
By winning the duel against Elye Wahi, still lacking confidence, Larsonneur avoided an even heavier defeat (86th). The match ended in fog and was even interrupted for just over five minutes due to smoke bombs thrown by the Magic Fans, a group of Green supporters. The two teams will also meet in Geoffroy-Guichard on Sunday 22 December (2.45pm) for the 32nd Coupe de France final.
“It’s always difficult to win here in Saint-Étienne,” said Roberto de Zerbi. We had an excellent first half in terms of quality of play even though we came back with only one goal despite 4-5 chances. We can improve the mentality, the generosity on the pitch, the altruism, but the players are very courageous. Valentin Rongier is decisive, because he has what we were missing, he brings balance and tactical intelligence with his characteristics. we will have to play the same match against Lille in front of our fans who we missed. »
How does player consistency impact the overall success of a football team like Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1?
Interview: The Resurgence of Olympique de Marseille
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Claire Martin,a sports analyst specializing in French football. Claire, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Claire Martin: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the recent developments in Ligue 1, especially Olympique de Marseille.
Editor: Absolutely! Marseille seems to be finding its rhythm again after a series of solid performances, including their recent 2-0 victory over Saint-Étienne. What do you think has contributed to this resurgence?
Dr. Martin: There are several factors at play here. First and foremost, the consistency in Roberto De Zerbi’s tactics has been crucial. By sticking to the 3-4-3 formation,he’s managed to create a stable environment for the players to thrive. This consistency is reflected in their performances against Lens and Monaco as well.
Editor: It’s engaging to hear that. You mentioned stability in tactics. How important is that in professional football, especially in a high-stakes league like Ligue 1?
Dr. martin: Stability is vital in any professional sports environment. It allows players to build chemistry on the pitch, understand their roles better, and execute game plans without hesitation. When players know what to expect from their coach and each othre, they can focus more on execution rather than trying to adapt to new systems each week.
Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Speaking of execution, how do you assess the role of players like Gerónimo Rulli and Quentin Merlin in this recent success?
Dr.Martin: Both players have been significant assets to the team. Rulli’s performance in goal has provided a sense of security, allowing the defense to play with more confidence. On the other hand, merlin’s introduction into the lineup demonstrates De Zerbi’s smart management and ability to make key adjustments while maintaining team cohesion. Their contributions illustrate how individual brilliance can elevate the entire team’s performance.
Editor: With Marseille now tied for second place and only five points behind PSG, do you believe they have a realistic chance of challenging for the top spot this season?
Dr. Martin: While it will be challenging,especially with PSG’s depth and caliber,Marseille’s current form and confidence could certainly make the title race interesting. If they maintain their recent performance levels and can minimize injuries—considering Saint-Étienne’s struggles with absentees—there’s no reason they can’t push for the title.
Editor: And what about Saint-Étienne? They seem to be in a rough spot, especially following their heavy defeat against Rennes. How can they turn things around?
Dr. Martin: Saint-Étienne’s situation is indeed concerning. With eight players absent, it makes sense why they struggled against such a strong side like Marseille. They need to focus on building squad depth and finding tactical adjustments that suit the remaining players. Additionally, developing a more adaptable game plan could help them regain some form and confidence.
Editor: Valuable insights, Claire! as we conclude our discussion, what should fans watch for in the upcoming matches? Any predictions?
Dr. Martin: Fans should keep an eye on how Marseille adapts to potential challenges in their fixtures against teams that employ different tactics. As for predictions, if they continue on this current path, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them inch even closer to PSG in the upcoming weeks.It will be a thrilling few months ahead!
editor: Thank you, Dr.Martin, for your expertise and analysis. It’s always a pleasure to have you. Let’s see how the season unfolds!
Dr. Martin: Thank you! I look forward to our next discussion!