Alexis Sanchez is the top editor, Younes Abdelhamid the flop. Federico Pestellini / PANORAMIC
TOPS/FLOPS – Marseille regained second place in Ligue 1 by winning on the lawn of Reims (1-2). Find the Tops and Flops of this closing match of the 28e daytime.
TOPS
From the great Sanchez
On the lawn of Auguste-Delaune, Alexis Sanchez clearly performed one of his best performances with OM during the victory at Reims (1-2). The Chilean international, again aligned at the forefront, multiplied on the front of the attack. Omnipresent, and decisive. He completely revived his people by equalizing on a free kick, only three minutes after the opening of the Reims score (16e) The turning point of the match. His second goal (29e), synonymous with victory, offered the Phocaeans three precious points in the race for second place.
Solid leg at the post
One of the other strong men of the Marseille victory. Back in the starting lineup, Samuel Gigot showed great solidity throughout the game. The 29-year-old, surrounded by Rongier and Mbemba in central defense, was invaluable in the fallout from the Reims centers. His physical impact hurt opposing attackers. As desired by his coach, he did not hesitate to project himself and could have put OM to safety at the end of the match, on a counter he initiated and concluded (83e).
FLOPS
The lack of efficiency of the Rémois
End of series for Reims. Invincible during the last nineteen days, the Champagne club conceded its first defeat under the Will Stil era. A setback that can leave the Rémois with great regret, especially in view of the second period. Led at the break, they clearly dominated the second act but fell short in the last gesture. Like Balogun. Scorer at the start of the match, the young English striker could have revived his team but he badly negotiated two good chances in the box (66e90e+3). His teammates were no more effective.
Abdelhamid’s big mistake
«This second goal, I take it for myself“. Yunis Abdelhamid did not shirk his responsibilities at the Prime Video microphone after the match. The Reims captain, solid until then, is clearly guilty on the second Marseilles (29e). Apathetic and uncoordinated with his defense teammates, he misread the trajectory of a long ball from Lopez and let Sanchez slip behind his back. A mistake that cost his team dearly.
Malinovskyi trop discret
Recruited this winter, Ruslan Malinovskyi had made a promising start during his first outings. But the Ukrainian international has fallen into line in recent weeks. His performance of the day had nothing positive. Unlike Sanchez and Under, he did not exist offensively and made no difference (27% of duels won). Quickly warned for a voluntary foul on Keita (19e). Igor Tudor logically decided to replace him shortly after the hour mark.