There was electricity in the air, for this summer Sunday, where theMarseille Olympics returned to the Vélodrome for its first home game against Reims. After a perfect start to its season in Brest last week (5-1), Roberto De Zerbi’s team was expected to confirm.
A win would have allowed Marseille to send a clear message to its competitors to establish itself alongside Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco, LOSC and RC Lens among the good students of this start of the championship at the top of the standings. But the Marseillais missed their shot. Enterprising but lacking in offensive realism, De Zerbi’s men were surprised by a valiant Reims team.
OM lacking efficiency
Roberto De Zerbi had lined up a starting eleven similar to last week’s, in which he had incorporated Brassier and Kondogbia, sliding Merlin back into defence. The attacking animation did not change, with the quartet Greenwood-Harit-Luis Henrique-Wahi. And it was from Harit that the light came. The Moroccan international was on the receiving end of a cross from Merlin on a perfect collective move (1-0, 25th).
This scenario did not encourage Marseille to take their foot off the gas. On the contrary, De Zerbi’s men took advantage of the spaces left to show their ability to sting on quick attacks, as they had done in Brest. But Elye Wahi symbolised his team’s lack of efficiency, with three clear opportunities missed before the break.
Still alive, the Rémois took advantage of the situation to resurface. In two steps, three moves, Akieme (1-1, 51st) then Fofana (1-2, 55th) turned the situation around. With their backs to the wall, the Marseillais threw all their strength into the battle, and the inevitable Greenwood allowed OM to limit the damage with a winning header (2-2, 72nd). The score has not changed since. OM continues to learn.
