OM won in Montpellier (2-1) on Monday night, despite concerns at the end of the match, and consolidated its third place in the standings.
Match: 1-2
Marseille started the year as they had not finished the previous year. Four days after the attacking festival against Toulouse (6-1), and the conclusion of 2022, Igor Tudor’s players were less exciting in Montpellier (2-1), on Monday evening. Against an opponent always strong and sharp on the counterattack, the Olympians had great difficulty getting serious chances. The match ban was finally lifted early in the second half and it was two defenders who shone. Nuno Tavares first opened the scoring with a superb series of left hook – right shot after a good move where Feretut saw his head deflected by Omelin (47th). Marseille confirmed its good start in the second half, with an own goal from Maxime Esteve, under pressure from Chancelle Mbemba (61).
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The Montpelliers surrendered at fifteen minutes after standing in front of OM well over the first forty-five, where actions were so scarce. Finally it was Jonathan Klaus, on a cross that turned into a shot due to its trajectory, the opener was missed but Jonas Omlin, alert, turned the ball onto the crossbar (18). Marseille’s right-hand piston didn’t have the chance to distinguish himself further and he was Forced to surrender To Issa Kabore, for his injury. This didn’t seem to destabilize OM, even if the Burkina Faso international was terribly messy with the ball. But Marseille relied on their strongmen, Valentin Rongere, starting in the middle, or even Alexis Sanchez, tireless up front to open up the gaps for his team mates.
But, under the influence of fatigue, perhaps, and tension, for sure, the Olympians left the end of the meeting between the expulsion of Nuno Tavares (88), the penalty inflicted by Pau Lopez (90) and his conversion. By Tigi Savagnier (90+1). But Heraultier woke up too late hoping for another result, and thus Marseille signed a new success that allows them to consolidate their third place in the standings.
Pitau: “There is disappointment”
Player: Nuno Tavares found a smileOM’s left-hand piston has resumed competition, after the 2022 World Cup-related cut-off, as it had started it. After a resounding start marked notably by three goals during the first four days of the season, the Portuguese has regained his phenomenal quality. Top scorer against Toulouse (6-1), on December 29th, the left-hander found the net again against Montpellier (2-1), on Monday evening. This time, his goal – from the right – was crucial as it allowed OM to open the scoring. Instead of being bold throughout the meeting, he ended the match on a false note by receiving a direct red card, after an intervention by the video assistant referee, for a kick on Arnaud Souquet (88).
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