After a dull then electric match, Marseille and Reims neutralized each other on Wednesday at the Vélodrome (1-1). Find the tops and flops of the editorial staff.
TOPS
Rajkovic, a real iron wall
If the Stade de Reims hoped for a victory until the 95 minutes, and this penalty converted by Payet, it is largely thanks to his goalkeeper. Rajkovic was imperial in his cages this Wednesday evening. In the tenth minute, ahead of Milik then Under, the Serb was vigilant. He then flaunted his whole class in front of Guendouzi on a corner (36th), while he had already deflected a center-shot from the middle (24th).
Guendouzi, the metronome
Guendouzi was once again the regulator of OM, very valuable for the Sampaoli team. In the defensive phase, he was everywhere to plug the holes. With the ball, the former Arsenal has thrown himself a lot and was one of the few to pose real concerns to the Reims defense. He could have scored twice, without a great Rajkovic.
And immediatelyPayet saves OM against Reims
Konan-Etikite, a working duo
He is the man in shape of the moment in Champagne-Ardenne. Ekitike, entered on the hour mark, opened the scoring in the 75th minute. The French found himself alone in the area in front of Lopez after a backlash. Full of composure, he perfectly adjusted the Marseille goalkeeper to score his eighth goal of the season. Konan had served him perfectly, from a delicious center to the ground. A great reward for one of the only Rémois to have thrown himself forward.
FLOPS
The intentions of Reims
The Rémois had come to Marseille to get the draw, that’s what they collected. Admittedly, the visitors may regret the unfavorable decisions of Mr. Letexier, but a success would not have been faithful to the physiognomy of the match. With six players affected by the Covid, the Champenois had come above all to defend. In the first half, they were limited to a very low block, totally refusing the game. Even with the ball, the defenders sent long, desperate prayers to their attackers.
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Marseille scorers
Sampaoli has still not succeeded in solving the puzzle of his number 9. Holder alongside Gerson and Payet, Milik has been transparent. Worse still, he seemed to restrain his wingers by his questionable positioning. He also annihilates a good Marseille situation by involuntarily deflecting a strike from Rongier who went towards the goal (65th). Dieng, entered for the last ten minutes, did not do better. Without weighing on the game, the Senegalese let himself be carried away by the ambient tension. His tackle, very late and nasty, on Foket, was logically sanctioned with a red card. In the end, the striker will have spent only 6 minutes in the field.
The crumbly Marseille defense
If Saliba was solid, this is not the case with his acolytes of the Marseille defensive line. Several times, the backs of Olympians have been overtaken during the rare forays in Reims. Peres, valuable in the raise, is much more worrying when it comes to defending. As for Caleta-Car, he was at fault on goal by letting Etikite escape. And he could have been at the origin of a penalty against OM, he who nudged Ekitike. Mr. Letexier decided not to whistle after moving to view the VAR footage.
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