Hanging in Metz, OM skates!

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By: Manu Tournoux

Olympique de Marseille had to settle for a parity score on the lawn of FC Metz, this Friday, on behalf of the 2nd day of Ligue 1 (2-2).

Marseille was already expected at the turn, this Friday, on the lawn of Metz. Marcelino’s game project is still in its infancy. No question of dramatizing the disappointment of this European elimination against Panathinaikos, but in a club where everything is set ablaze faster than elsewhere, OM could not minimize it either. In this sense, the challenge of the day was clear: to sign a second success in a row to settle temporarily at the top of the championship and change your mind.

Marcelino had kept his guideline for this trip to Lorraine. The Spanish technician again relied on a flat 4-4-2 animation, this time establishing Vitinha alongside Aubameyang at the forefront, while Sarr – former home – and Ounahi were responsible for energize the sides. Opposite, the promoted obviously approached this match with a costume of little thumb, less than a week after a small slap received in Rennes (1-5) which recalled the gulf which separates the elite from the antechamber.

OM strike hard from the start…

The start of the match quickly set the scene. The Marseillais held the ball in significant proportions with a high team block and intense pressing. Unsurprisingly, the Grenats bet on a good grid of the field to reduce spaces and sting on the counter. Classic. And this configuration made OM’s business since it was the visitors who struck first. Very restless, Sarr first found the post (2nd) before worrying Oukidja (7th) then distilling a decisive cross for Soglo, who did not shake to open the scoring (0-1, 14th).

Marseille lost control, before saving the furniture

This scenario, however, encouraged the Marseillais to take the easy way out. The rest of this first act was flat, Marcelino’s men contenting themselves with a few accelerations that did not materialize on the scoreboard (38th, 45th). A disallowed goal from Rongier (52′) and the dismissal of Lô on the hour mark (59′) gave the impression that OM had the game in their hands. It has not happened. Because in the process, the promoted revolted to resurface by scoring two goals, in quick succession. Sabaly equalized with a right shot deflected by Rongier (1-1, 65′), before Mikautadze benefited from a handball from Pau Lopez to blow up Saint-Symphorien (2-1, 71′).

Stung, the Marseillais then threw all their forces into the battle to save the furniture. They lacked success for a long time – Ndiaye then Mbemba hitting hard (73rd, 78th) -, but they ended up snatching a point, at the end of the night, on a victorious shot from a brave Vitinha (82nd). A lesser evil at the end of an evening still very contrasted for a team still under construction.

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