OM managed an improbable comeback on penalties against Le Mans to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Gambardella Cup.
Olympique de Marseille have not won the Gambardella Cup since 1979 and hope is starting to arise among the Marseille kids. While the A’s are experiencing major difficulties in Ligue 1, while dreaming of a European epic, the U18s are living their dream to the fullest this year. After taking out Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round on penalties, the Marseillais did it again on the Le Mans pitch in the round of 16. The Olympians qualified by going through the same exercise, with a small dose of miracle.
Led 3-2 by the Sarthois in added time, the Phocéens were able to count on their captain Paolo Trigano, heroic at the end of the match. It was first of all he who equalized in the 96th minute by following a ball pushed back by the Le Mans goalkeeper, before having the privilege of converting the winning penalty during an incredible session.
🔴 Trigano’s goal at the last second!#TeamOM | #OMCDFpic.twitter.com/9oTF7gmoPo
— OM Inside (@OM_lnside) February 25, 2024
A comeback on penalties!
Indeed, Le Mans led 3 shots on goal to 0 after two missed attempts by the OM players, including one on a Panenka… Dosso, already in good spirits against PSG, performed some miracles by diverting two Le Mans shots from continuation, then a last one to offer a match point to Trigano. At the club since the age of 4, the latter continues to be an inspiring leader for Marseillais who logically dream of the Stade de France.
In 2017, during their last participation in the Gambardella final, the Phocéens lost on penalties against Montpellier. Their potential opponents in the quarter-finals: Stade de Reims, AS Nancy Lorraine, Troyes, Metz, Toulouse, Rennes and Brest.
