The Marseillais have long believed that the epilogue of their European season would be happy. They will have gone through all the emotions, and undergone the unbearable roller coaster that only this Champions League can provide. And unfortunately, this time, again, Marseille finds itself Fanny, or almost, eliminated from European competitions by a goal scored after additional time by an anything but impressive Tottenham on Tuesday evening. Cruel.
The match had already started with bad news: the injury of Eric Bailly (10th), which did not disturb the domination of the Phocaeans for a penny who entered their match perfectly. More aggressive, more biting than Spurs prostrate and in control, the Marseillais stormed the cage of Hugo Lloris, forcing the French goalkeeper to some class parades against Nuno Tavares (19th), or Jordan Veretout (33rd). A chance that the defense holds because in front, the Spurs lost, as a bonus, one of their chief gunners. Hit in the temple by Mbemba’s elbow, the Korean Son Heung-Min will only get up groggy, unable to hold his rank (27th).
A first act without sharing
Despite their best efforts, Tudor’s troop struggles to break through Conte’s, cowering around its doorman’s surface in a quasi-military organization. Each offensive, each breakthrough attempt is lost in the tight mesh of the sky blue jerseys. Until the deliverance, in the heart of the seven minutes of additional time in the first period: this time, it is the ball that Chancel Mbemba hits with his head to deceive Lloris on a corner played quickly (1-0, 45e+2). Ultra dominating (68% possession, 7 shots to 2…), Marseille then held, temporarily, a victory and a well-deserved qualification. “The Marseillais played liberated, not being afraid of losing and having everything to gain,” Hugo Lloris told Canal+ after the match. We didn’t have much to lose. »
Returning from the locker room, Marseille continues to apply strong pressure on the Spurs, who return with better intentions. And who, like the Marseillais, find the fault in the air, when Clément Lenglet takes the head of a free kick well struck by Perišić (1-1, 52e). Marseille deserves better, but Marseille are caught behind and have to start all over again. A nice strike from Harit passes just above (58th). While the debates are balanced, the clock is running against the Phocaeans, but Frankfurt’s return to life on the Sporting field (1-2) at least allows them to grab third place.
Charred, the two teams try to push and exchange clear opportunities. On a big strike from Højbjerg, it was Lopez’s post and the whole Vélodrome which trembled (81st), before Mbemba intervened in front of Kane (81st). In the process, Alexis Sanchez forces Perišić to a good save (82nd). Above all, Sead Kolašinac managed the feat of missing a header from close range, alone in front of goal (87th). The whole Velodrome had seen her in it. He does not expect this ultimate counter, this ball carried by the Dane Højbjerg who, after the outgoing post, sees his shot return after hitting the amount (2-1, 90e+5). “There are matches when you can’t win them, you have to know not to lose them and this one, he will sting, noted, banned, Jonathan Clauss at the microphone of Canal + after the match. We wonder what else we need to look for to turn things in our favor. In 45 minutes, Marseille went from dream to nightmare. From an unexpected qualification to a fourth place. Still.
