OM beat Reims (4-1) for their recovery in L1, Igor Tudor whistled, Dimitri Payet came into play, doubled for Luis Suarez

On the occasion of his big first in Ligue 1, Igor Tudor offered himself a little peace of mind, and OM with it. Under pressure, the Marseillais ideally started their season by easily disposing of Reims, in a boiling Vélodrome (4-1), Sunday evening.

Welcomed by the whistles of the supporters, the new coach has already hinted at interesting game principles, like the Clauss-Tavares pistons involved in two goals. Luis Suarez, the other summer recruit, stood out with a promising double. In one match, the few doubts glimpsed during the preparation were lifted, allowing OM to respond to the victories of PSG, Monaco, Lyon and Lille.

Clauss and Tavares, rockets in the corridors

Igor Tudor won’t soon forget his first at the Vélodrome. Warmly welcomed by OM fans when his name was announced, Jorge Sampaoli’s replacement then witnessed his club’s convincing victory, going so far as to silence an entire stadium. His team, deprived of Dimitri Payet at kick-off, first showed a lot of control.

From the start, we felt the Marseillais were very involved, certainly well helped by Rémois who were a little too shy to compete. Marseille quickly knew how to materialize their hold on the match thanks to Jonathan Clauss, author of a difficult cross to defend, extended into his own goal by Wout Faes (1-0, 13th). The former RC Lens player has successfully completed his baptism, as has Nuno Tavares.

The other piston of OM thus made the break just before the break, thanks to a strike from the right surgical (2-0, 45th + 2). Cengiz Ünder (17th) and Valentin Rongier (25th) could have increased the score a few minutes earlier, but they both found the amounts. In total control, the Phocaeans were never really jostled in this part, which had the effect of installing a false rhythm which suited them well.

The defense still worries

Much less enterprising offensively after the break, they still found a way to score a third, then a fourth goal, through Luis Suarez. First poorly paid on a service from Tavares (65th), the Colombian had more success on a corner (3-0, 75th), before taking advantage of a caviar from Cédric Bakambu after a counter quickly played (4-1, 90th + 4).

Between Suarez’s two goals, Tudor’s men may have released the pressure a little too much, since Folarin Balogun was able to reduce the score (3-1, 84th). And fortunately Ruben Blanco was sufficiently vigilant on a powerful strike from Mitchell van Bergen (90th), otherwise the last minutes would have been a little more complicated to play for the locals if the score had gone to 3-2. It’s still a shame for Reims, who took too long to believe it.

A philosophy already in action, effective rookies, a victory obtained without Payet, envy… This inaugural match will do a lot of good for Olympique de Marseille, which has lived through a very tumultuous summer and must do the icing again in chaining the good results. Here is already one, and it will now be necessary to transform the test to dissipate all the concerns of each other.