The cheat sheet of Sporting Portugal – OM: The match refers to the best of times?

The game: OM very serious, Sporting much too nervous

As in the first leg, OM were greatly helped by their adversary, who quickly found themselves outnumbered (see below). Nevertheless, the visitors never loosened their embrace and recited their score seriously until the end. Reduced to ten, the Leoes were unable to get their heads back and showed too much nervousness, which earned Pedro Gonçalves also being sent off (61st). Ruben Amorim’s band is certainly capable of much better. But in two confrontations against the vice-champions of France, she showed nothing but a very sad image.

The players: Harit as a detonator, sovereign circles

All the members of the Olympian starting lineup managed to rise to the height of the event, even if it is difficult to assess the performance of Pau Lopez, who had almost nothing to do. Among the individuals who stood out, it is impossible not to mention Amine Harit. The Moroccan tipped the match by going for the penalty (17th), then serving Alexis Sanchez on a plateau (30th).

Another former Nantes player, Valentin Rongier, also distinguished himself, thanks to a huge volume of play in the middle and an often judicious use of the ball. His alter ego Jordan Veretout also delivered a strong performance. And of course, impossible to forget Alexis Sanchez, still a scorer and decidedly essential in front.

The X Factor: Esgaio, 100th Nightmare

Ricardo Esgaio played his 100th match in the jersey of his training club this Wednesday evening. He risks keeping an imperishable memory of it… and potentially traumatizing. Aligned at the right piston position, the 29-year-old first received a yellow card after an elbow in the face from Nuno Tavares (16th), then conceded a penalty in the minute that followed (17th ) and logically collected a second warning synonymous with expulsion (19th). A week after the red received very early by his goalkeeper Adan (23rd), Sporting was still scuttled from the start. And could not avoid a new disappointment.

At the state’: 11

By winning on the lawn of the José-Alvalade stadium, Marseille ended a period of eleven years without the slightest success outside in C1. His last victory away from his bases in this competition dates back to December 6, 2011. That day, Mathieu Valbuena and others overthrew Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park (2-3). Another era, but an indelible memory.

The tweet that shows that Sporting still helped OM a lot

The declaration: Valentin Rongier (Canal+)

The question: Are OM holding their reference match in Europe?

Admittedly, the Olympians still benefited from very favorable game facts, and this is obviously not negligible. The fact remains that their overall performance was convincing from start to finish. In the state of mind as in the implementation of the tactical principles of Tudor, everything worked wonderfully, facing the Portuguese who were overwhelmed and, very quickly, particularly annoyed.

Moreover, the Croatian technician seems to have found the right formula with Mattéo Guendouzi. Positioned in support of the attacker, the ex-Gunner brings both danger to the edge of the opposing area and a significant help in securing the midfield. This is undoubtedly one of the major satisfactions of the evening, at the end of which the Phocaeans are back in second place in their group, one point behind Tottenham. Essential, before the final sprint in C1. And ideal for confidence, before a Classic at the Park on Sunday. Yes, Marseille signed their reference match. What’s more, at the best of times.