In a completely insane match, OM made the qualification but lost on penalties on Tuesday night. His adventure ends in the third preliminary round.
disaster. While qualification was up to it, Marseille collapsed after injury time against Panathinaikos and eventually lost on penalties (2-1 after extra time, 3-5 in tab), in the third round. Initial return to the UEFA Champions League, Tuesday 15 August. A harsh result, especially since OM had so far erased their loss in the first leg (0-1) thanks to a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2, 45 + 1).
OM has gotten its followers used to many disappointments in recent years, but they have reinvented themselves in frustration. This, given the scenario, will take time to digest. As the Vélodrome prepared to celebrate qualifying the Tweezers, a video call from Matteo Guendouzi for a hand in the box provided an unexpected opportunity for Pana’s return. Quietly, the oncoming Fotis Ioannidis (90 + 9, 2-1) turned the show around.
No polishing by arbitration
Marseille can always regret not calling on that video assist a few minutes earlier, charging in the back of the same Guendouzi in the area (90 + 3), as they can wonder if Ismaila Sarr really took action on a denied goal by Vittenha ( 111). But OM was also wrong and could have avoided such a scenario by better controlling the second period.
But the beginning was idyllic. After 90 seconds of play, rookie Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted a cross from Ismaila Sarr (2, 1-0), rounding the goalkeeper to open his counter with OM. In a thrilling first period, he shot for the second time, cutting in a cross from Jonathan Klaus (45+1, 2-0) at the near post. Marseille found a top scorer, and it was hard to see Bana turning the tide against this absolute OM.
OM could have folded the match earlier
The result could have taken another dimension if the attacks of Eliman Ndiaye (11th, 21st) and Ismail Sarr (53rd, 61st) had concluded. And then, perhaps thinking that the Greeks were in trouble, and being sure of their strength, Marseilles gradually retreated. Physically affected, they experienced several warnings from attractive if not outright dangerous Greeks (76, 77, 85). These booster shots weren’t enough.
In a stifling extra time, Marseille found a second wind and took advantage of a terrified opponent once they scored their goal to regain control of the match. But, despite many situations for Vitina (104, 118) and a goal denied by their Portuguese striker, OM were pushed towards penalties that their coach Marcelino wanted to avoid at all costs.
The missed shot by Matteo Guendouzi unlucky Marseille’s ambitions, the skill of the Greek shooters (5/5 despite the entry of specialist goalkeeper Ruben Blanco) buried them once and for all. Fell from above while perfecting 105 of 120 minutes of play, Marseille will have to settle for the Europa League.
