A serious test, a coherent opposition, and a draw that says a lot. One week before the resumption of Ligue 1, Olympique de Marseille continues its rise in power without false accounting note. In Tarragona, faced with a combative valence, the men of Roberto de Zerbi showed beautiful intentions but also certain limits in Constance. Two opposite half-time, a logical parity score, and a revealing step for an OM still running but already very involved.
Generosity but too much imprecision
In the heat of Tarragona, Marseille began his fourth preparation match with energy. Faced with a team of valence little inspired at the start of the game, the Phocaeans quickly imposed their rhythm, with a good activity on the sides, in particular by Jonathan Rowe and Amine Gouiri. Several hot situations were created in the first twenty minutes, but without efficiency.
However, Valence opened the scoring before the break, on a well-conducted counterattack concluded by Dani Raba. Led, the men of Roberto de Zerbi were able to react as soon as the locker room returns thanks to an individual feat from Rowe, author of a sublime strike in full skylight. Equalization deserved after a period of sterile domination.
OM braked by Valence despite a jewelry from Rowe
OM continued to push, but has encountered a Valencia team better organized defensively over the match. The pace has dropped, precision has failed in the last gesture, and the changes cut the collective momentum. Despite some solid stops by Jeffrey de Lange, the frank opportunities rare at the end of the match.
A solid base to confirm for OM
This second draw of summer is not a setback: it confirms that the preparation is still in the running -in, especially on the offensive level. De Zerbi has tested several combinations and gave playing time to his whole group. He has two games left, facing Seville then Aston Villa, to refine his choices before the resumption against Rennes.
With two victories and two draws, OM remains undefeated as a friendly. If the intensity of the start of the match seduces, the regularity and the finish will have to go up a notch to cross a course. The rest of the pre-season, against opponents of another caliber, will bring a more enlightening verdict.
