Marseille ended their preparation phase with a loss against Leverkusen. Here are the key takeaways from this game.
OM ended their series of summer friendly matches badly. In their stronghold at the Vélodrome, and despite the support of 60,000 supporters, the Marseille team gave in against Bayer Leverkusen. A setback on the smallest of scores (1-2) and which leaves a bitter taste, even if the overall score was not bad. Cameroon’s Mughe saved the honor for his side after the Germans struck twice in the first half (by Tah and Amiri)
One week before the match against Panathinaikos, counting for the first leg opposition of 3e qualifying round of the Champions League, there was clearly a better way to reassure themselves for the Olympians than tripping over the carpet at home. And this is their second misstep in preparation after the one recorded against Eupen (0-1) ten days ago.
Marcelino’s ideas not yet applied
The Spanish coach lined up what looked like his typical team for this game. Before the first official match of the season, he hoped to obtain some certainties from his training. It’s partly failed. OM, laid out in 4-4-2, imposed their game but only in sequences. His first half had been average and it was only when he returned from the locker room, with the incorporation of certain substitutes, that we found fluidity and well-constructed actions. Even if in the effort and in the investment there is not much to reproach the Marseillais, it is clearly not the face that expected for this last summer trial run.
Iliman Ndiaye, contrasting first
Holder only 24 hours after the formalization of his transfer, the Senegalese striker experienced a delicate first under the Marseille tunic. During the first period, we saw him struggling in attack but without being able to be too threatening. The supporters, however, encouraged him with each ball taken. The Minot was not discouraged and it was when he seemed to be at his best in the match that he contracted an injury. The former Sheffield seemed to be muscularly affected in a calf. Let’s hope for him and his team that it’s just a simple cramp. He was not the only Marseille player to be injured in this match. This was also the case for the young Soglo.
A discreet attack, Mughe keeps up appearances
The Marseille attack, totally renewed this summer, raises a lot of expectations. Unfortunately, and as was already the case in previous matches, she remained silent. The Aubameyang, Sarr and also Ndiaye were well muzzled by the German rearguard and we felt they had run out of inspiration to be able to make a difference. The trio also lacked automatisms and benchmarks. During the 2e act, Marcelino launched Vitinha and the young Cameroonian François Régis Mughe. The doublet was a little more prominent and the last named even managed to find the fault, taking over a lobbed cross from Gueye.
Pau Lopez picking up
If OM lost this game it was largely because of their goalkeeper Pau Lopez. The Spaniard missed two aerial outings following opposing set pieces and it hit the mark each time. A game without which risks weakening confidence, especially since Marcelino took him out at half-time to replace him with Ruben Blanco. Apparently, Marseille has strengthened in all sectors during the transfer window. But, not that of goalkeeper and its leaders will now cross their fingers so that this position is not its Achilles heel.
Renan Lodi has finally played
This match against Leverkusen allowed the Brazilian side to make his debut with Marseille. Incorporated at the hour of the game in place of Soglo, he showed good chances on his flank. His backwardness at the physical level was glaring, but he still managed to multiply the runs and create good openings for the attackers. It is promising for the future. Marcelino must not regret having signed him too much.
