Champions League – Beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1), OM fall back into their ways

OM definitely don’t like going to Germany anymore. The Phocaeans lost on the lawn of Eintracht Frankfurt, during the 5th day of Group D of the Champions League (2-1). While they could dream of a qualification, the men of Igor Tudor proved to be much too soft in the two surfaces. Daichi Kamada quickly opened the scoring (3rd), Mattéo Guendouzi answered him (22nd) but Randal Kolo Muani sanctioned the defensive shortcomings of silent visitors afterwards (22nd).

With this setback, OM are overtaken by their opponent and find themselves last in group D. But the Marseillais still have a chance of qualifying. On the imperative condition of beating Tottenham on Tuesday at the Vélodrome.

Coming across the Rhine to win, the Olympians barely had time to taste the warm atmosphere of Deutsche Bank Park which they had already fallen in love with. After a failed pressing from Jonathan Clauss, Evan Ndicka went on the left. The French centered on the ground, Jesper Lindstrom’s feint in front of the truth zone surprised Samuel Gigot and allowed Kamada to deceive Pau Lopez (1-0, 3rd).

A beleaguered rearguard

OM reacted quickly but Clauss crossed his recovery too much in the German area (11th). On the other hand, the Olympian defense remained very fragile and let Mario Götze place his head at six meters just next to the target (15th). Lopez then saved the visitors by winning a duel against Lindstrom while Leonardo Balerdi had given the ball to the opposing attackers in his own area (19th). Still consistent in midfield in their 3-4-3 similar to that of their opponent, OM managed to equalize on a superb flat-footed volley from Guendouzi after a long cross from Chancel Mbemba (1-1 , 22nd).

After five defeats in a row without scoring in as many trips to Germany, OM had finally found the fault and had relaunched themselves in this match. However, he once again displayed his defensive shortcomings and the Lindstrom – Götze – Kolo Muani trio easily infiltrated the area. Faced with a spectator Mbemba, the former Nantes player was able to conclude to open his counter in the competition (2-1, 27th).

A failing attack

Volunteers despite everything, the Tudor players again wanted to react and Hrvoje Smolcic had to make an incredible save just in front of Alexis Sanchez (30th). Despite his efforts, however, the Chilean too often found himself very lonely against the German rearguard. The discreet Amine Harit and Guendouzi rarely served him due to a lack of collective inspiration to combine effectively.

At the start of the second half favorable to the Olympians, Clauss did find Sanchez at the entrance to the zone of truth but the center forward sent his lob just next to Kevin Trapp’s cage (56th). The former PSG goalkeeper also diverted the free kick from the left of the former Interiste (58th). Launched in place of Guendouzi (60th), Cengiz Under brought nothing, just like Luis Suarez, who came off the bench late (86th).

Despite 56% possession of the ball, it was rather the Marseillais who had to be wary of the German counterattacks. Now last in the group after the draw between Tottenham and Sporting (1-1), Tudor and his men will have to achieve a feat and bring down the Spurs at the Vélodrome on the last day to see the round of 16.