For their first official outing at the Vélodrome, OM had a hard time facing Reims, who opened the scoring after 10 minutes and were dangerous throughout the game. Enthusiastic and enterprising, Marcelino’s players managed to take the advantage at the end of the match, thanks to a goal from Vintiha (2-1, 73rd) and to preserve their victory. A salutary breath of fresh air, in anticipation of the late goal to come up on Tuesday already against Panathinaikos, in the 3rd preliminary round return to the Champions League.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Very seriously challenged against Reims, OM showed progress, particularly in attacking animation. Ounahi unlocked the goals counter for the Olympians (1-1, 23rd). Previously, Mbemba had placed a header on the opposing crossbar (14th). Finally, Vitinha, author of a goal disallowed for a slight offside (41st), was active and touched a number of offensive balls. By dint of balloons, the Portuguese was rewarded with the winning goal, being quicker than Abdelhamid and Diouf, following a small service back from Sarr (2-1, 73rd).
Compared to the Athens match on Wednesday, neither Aubameyang, nor Sarr (entered in the 51st), nor Veretout started the game at the Vélodrome stadium. The coach, Marcelino, had made no secret of his desire to preserve several elements in anticipation of the return match against Panathinaikos on Tuesday, a qualifying match for the C1 accession play-off and, as such, more important than the first match of L1.
The Vélodrome was disillusioned when Ito, left a little free by Mbemba in the Marseille area, placed a winning recovery close to the left post of Pau Lopez (0-1, 10th). OM fans breathed easier after Ounahi, with a nice curling shot from the right, equalized (1-1, 23rd) and were downright fired up as their team took the lead on the scoreboard.
OM’s European future is not yet guaranteed but the Ligue 1 season is off to a better start.
THE PLAYER: Azzedine Ounahi
Despite the defeat and the lack of offensive intentions in Athens on Wednesday, it was already Azzedine Ouhani who had shown the most enterprising against Panathinaikos, attempting a long shot before the break. This Saturday against Reims he still showed initiative. While OM were down 1-0. A little forgotten about twenty meters from the opposing goal, full axis, the Moroccan rolled up a strike from the right and hit the mark for the equalizer for his team (1-1, 23rd).
Azzeddine Ounahi scored a sumptuous goal. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport) 2023 Icon Sport
Finisher but also a fine passer, Ounahi, already established twice on the left of the middle of Marcelino’s 4-4-2, takes his marks quickly, it seems within this new OM. Transferred for around €10 million from Angers in the winter transfer window last season, the frail midfielder had capitalized on Morocco’s fine World Cup in Qatar – semi-finalist in the competition.
Ounahi, 17 caps, 2 goals, had played all the matches with the Atlas Lions, with the exception of the match for 3rd place (lost 2-1 to Croatia).
In Ligue 1, his second part of the season had been somewhat truncated. Scorer for his first outing in front of Nantes (2-0), Ounahi then only made seven small appearances, because of a broken toe at the end of March. The drive he showed in the first matches bears witness to his desire to finally distinguish himself in the Olympian jersey.
THE NUMBER: 2
Each of the two teams was denied a goal this Saturday afternoon at the Vélodrome. Ito came very close to scoring a brace and making it 1-2 in the 38th minute, but the referees ruled the ball had gone out of bounds, lengthwise, beforehand. Shortly after, a goal from close by Vitinha, on a service from Ounahi refused (41st), was invalidated due to a (slight) offside from the Portuguese at the origin of the action.
THE DECLARATION: Marcelino
“It was important to win in front of our supporters and we did that. We lacked patience with the ball in the 1st half, but it was better in the 2nd. We had an important rival, they scored and put us in difficulty. I would have liked us to have more chances, to be less late and it was better in the 2nd period. I have seen positive behavior. We are still building and it is better when we win. I am satisfied with the result, the attitude, but there is still a long way to improve. »
