Yes, Francois Letixier was often right last night, although three goals were not allowed for offside (including two for PSG) and a heavy penalty was awarded against OM.
While the VAR worked a lot during this Clasico and François Letixier’s decisions were hotly debated, we’ve reviewed the match. After analyzing his decisions, we realized that he was really only wrong twice, with no consequences for the outcome: by warning Neymar in a simulation of Matteo Guenzie and forgetting Marquinhos’ blunder on Dimitri Payet.
17y Minute: Yellow card for Marco Verratti
The Spanish midfielder is beaten by Matteo Guenuzi, who runs away from him. Wanting to catch up with him, the Parisian stumbles and falls, clutching the falling leg of Marseille. The first card of the match from Mr. Letexier, it makes perfect sense.
21y Minute: Yellow card for Gerson
Served by Mbappe, Lionel Messi gets dangerously close to the surface of OM, but is stopped infrequently by Gerson. The error is not big, but it is enough to bring down the Argentine. It is executed in a dangerous area not far from the goal which justifies the yellow card.
37y Minute: Yellow card for Nuno Mendes
The fight between Nuno Mendes and Matteo Guendouzi is bittersweet. The young Portuguese is forced into a foul, which is punishable by a well deserved yellow card.
40y Minute: A goal deprives Lionel Messi
Nuno Mendes runs from the left at the back of the Marseille defence, passing a powerful cross at the near post. Lionel Messi pops up and deceives Pau Lopez. But the goal (logically) was rejected due to an offside a few centimeters from the Portuguese side at the beginning of the match, under the control of the VAR.
45y + 1: Penalty for Paris Saint-Germain
While Neymar is in possession of the ball at the entrance to the area, he tries to pass the skin over Ronger. The ball appears to touch Marseille’s thigh before deflecting with his elbow, then bouncing off Gerson’s hand. After resorting to the VAR, Mr. Letxer awarded a penalty kick to the Parisians. An option heavily contested by OM players who claim that the ball bounced off the thigh. According to the rules, punishment should not have been awarded. But, even if you look a few times, it’s hard to see. Yes, the ball touched the thigh, but the path did not deviate. We’ll say it’s 50/50. The punishment is harsh, but it is by no means fanciful.
46y Minute: Yellow card for Idrissa Guy
The Senegalese from Paris Saint-Germain commits a blatant anti-game act on Amine Harit who has just returned. Mr. Letexier is right to give it the color yellow.
55y Yellow card for Neymar
The Brazilian intervenes in the case of Matteo Guendouzi, but does not touch him. However, members of the Marseille family acted as if the Parisian had literally “dropped” him, screaming in pain. M.Letexier is fooled and sends Neymar in yellow.
75y A goal was denied by Kylian Mbappe for offside
After a very gentle movement, Lionel Messi put Kylian Mbappe in the penalty area. The latter deceives Paul Lopez with an instant hit. But again, the goal was logically denied due to the offside of the Parisian No. 7, validated by VAR.
83y Minute: Big mistake by Marquinhos on Dimitri Payet
The OM captain rightly complains about a huge foul by Marquinhos, who came in late, when he actually got rid of the ball. At the time, we believe Mr Letexier is leaving the advantage to Marseillais and that he will come back for this fatal mistake. But it is nothing. The referee makes it clear to Payet that there was no foul. So no card, which the Parisian defender was largely deserved.
85y Minute: A disallowed goal by William Saliba
In a free kick by Dimitri Payet from the left, William Saliba quickly slowed everyone down and pushed the ball under Donnarumma’s bar. But after consulting the VAR, Mr Letxer rejected the goal due to an offside of a few centimeters. This is the sad binary law of VAR. There is a good offside.
90y +1: yellow card for Kylian Mbappé
Replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, who has decided to bring in Mauro Icardi, Kylian Mbappe refuses to leave from the nearest place (as required by regulations), but prefers to join the bench directly. He understands logically.
90y + 2: Yellow card for Gianluigi Donnarumma
The end of the match is tense, OM throws all their strength into the fight to try to equalize. The Italian goalkeeper is guilty of an anti-game gesture and receives a reasonable yellow card.
