Highly anticipated, the Champions League for Marseille is above all synonymous with frustration this season. The two penalties conceded on the Real Madrid pitch did not bode well, it is true (2-1). And if the Olympians restarted the machine at the expense of Ajax at the Vélodrome (4-0), the setback recorded against Sporting in the process plunged OM back into a bath of bitterness (2-1). Before the drowning this Wednesday.
Facing Atalanta Bergamo at the Vélodrome, the Phocéens had to move forward to stay in the good pack. Only it was a new disillusionment that fell for Roberto De Zerbi’s men at the final whistle. A 0-1 defeat conceded in the last minutes of the game according to a script that was bizarre to say the least.
While the Dea saw a goal from Lookman invalidated for an effective but hardly impactful offside earlier in the match (69e), Samardzic’s fatal achievement in the final minute of added time could suffer from immense controversy. OM had reason to obtain a penalty a few seconds earlier.
A poor first act
Ederson’s hand following an uncontrolled check in the penalty area should certainly result in the supreme sanction for the Marseillais. Who made the mistake, it is true, of stopping play to claim the penalty while Atalanta was heading towards goal on the opposite sides of the field. This refereeing inertia was all the more damaging given that another Bergamasque – Ahanor – had also touched the ball with his arm within 16.50m to counter an Olympian strike a few minutes earlier.
In the end, it is Marseille regrets once again which punctuate this C1 match. And still only three small points on the clock for a 25e place in the general classification of the Champions League. One step away from possible qualification for the play-offs. OM can also regret the poor quality of their play produced in the first period. With a very reduced workforce (seven absent due to injury, one suspended) it is true.
