Published on : 25/11/2020 – 22:53
Olympique de Marseille are eliminated from the Champions League after their home defeat Wednesday 2-0 against FC Porto. A thirteenth consecutive defeat in the competition which is a sad record for the Olympians. However, OM did not deserve it.
Sad record for OM in the Champions League. Marseille, again beaten by FC Porto on Wednesday 25 November (0-2), was eliminated from the C1, chaining a 13th record defeat in this competition.
The Marseillais, however, arrived with the firm intention of avoiding “the shame” of this record, as Florian Thauvin said at a press conference. André Villas-Boas had also for the occasion simmered a small revolution by leaving on the bench Dario Benedetto and Dimitri Payet in order to prefer Valère Germain and the young Luis Henrique.
Inspired choices. OM manage to press high and play in the half of Porto. Behind the central hinge, Gonzalez and Balerdi are more physically present in the duels than their counterparts in the first leg. It remains to be scored. What the Marseillais seem incapable of doing, too clumsy in the last gesture.
Opposite, Porto is sure of his strength and punishes Marseille on one of his rare occasions. On a corner hit on the right, Grujic placed his head in the box. Kamara pushes back, the ball benefits Zaidu who, after stumbling for the first time on Mandanda, manages to conclude (0-1, 39th).
Hope then the cold shower
At the hour mark, the Marseille coach tries a tactical blow by bringing in three substitutes simultaneously: Luis Henrique is replaced by Dimitri Payet. Valère Germain by Dario Benedetto while Boubacar Kamara leaves his place to Michael Cuisance. The entry of the Reunionese playmaker energizes the Marseille attack. Especially when he gives a nice opening for Thauvin but Zaidu intervenes at the last minute.
OM wants to believe it. Especially when Porto finds himself at ten after a violent tackle from Marko Grujic on Benedetto which logically earned him a second yellow card (67th). However, hopes for a return were quickly dashed. Overtaken by Marega, Balerdi commits the irreparable in the area. Second yellow card for the Olympian defender, penalty for Porto transformed by captain Sergio Oliveira (0-2, 72nd).
However, Marseille is trying. On a free kick, Payet finds Aké in the area. But his head lacks power to worry Marchesin (89e). In stoppage time, it was Dario Benedetto’s turn to find the post. Nothing to do, OM have still not scored a single goal in the Champions League this season.
OM have only one goal, third place to be transferred to the Europa League. He will have to beat Olympiakos in the next match by reversing the first leg (1-0) to reach Piraeus at 3 points and play everything on the last day. FC Porto is officially qualified tonight in the round of 16.
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