Geoffrey Kondogbia beamed, Iliman Ndiaye disappointed. Norbert Scanella / Panoramic / Norbert Scanella / Elyxandro Cegarra / Panoramic / Elyxandro Cegarra
Conquering then solid, OM won on the pitch of AEK Athens (0-2) this Thursday, thanks in particular to the notable performances of Geoffrey Kondogbia and Pau Lopez.
TOPS
Geoffrey Kondogbia, good captain of the Marseille ship
Armband around his arm due to Valentin Rongier’s significant injury, the former Atlético Madrid player undoubtedly delivered his best performance in the Marseille jersey against AEK Athens on Thursday (0-2). Hampered by physical problems in recent weeks, the Central African international is finally gaining strength. And this was seen in Athens. Very valuable in recovery, solid in duels and adept at restarting, the ex-Monegasque showed the extent of his qualities alongside Jordan Veretout, also in the oven and in the mill. All in a new role as captain decided by his coach Gennaro Gattuso. Orphaned by Rongier until the end of the year, OM will really need a Kondogbia at this level.
Read alsoAEK Athens-OM: goals from Mbemba and Sarr on video
Pau Lopez impassable
Much criticized since the start of the season, the Spanish goalkeeper is one of the great architects of the painful victory. Very little contribution in the first period, he pulled out all the stops after returning from the locker room by repelling all AEK’s attempts on target (52nd, 55th, 89th, 96th). Even in the air, Lopez reassured his defense with well-timed exits, to allow his entire team to breathe. This perfect performance, with success at the end, came at the right time.
Chancel Mbemba rediscovers his goalscoring instinct
Used to scoring last year under the orders of Igor Tudor, the Congolese central defender likes the Europa League. Already a scorer against Brighton (2-2) on the 2nd day, the former Porto player put Marseille on the right track by opening the score, with a header, after a corner from Clauss (25th) . Furthermore, in the defensive sector, he was rarely found wanting with his friend in the hinge Leonardo Balerdi. The two Marseillais contained the Greek attacks and left without having conceded a goal. Rare enough to be highlighted at OM for three months.
FLOPS
Vitinha deserved better
Highly anticipated at the forefront of the attack to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, injured this evening, the Portuguese will sleep well tonight. Never stingy with his efforts, he multiplied the calls in depth and the pressing races to the point of losing lucidity in the last gesture. His miss from six meters at the start of the game (17th) is problematic but Vitinha’s self-sacrifice deserved a goal which was denied to him. Greek goalkeeper Athanasiadis first made a reflex save before the post pushed back the Olympian number 9’s shot. Sometimes technically clumsy but very generous and valuable defensively, Vitinha did not miss his match. As the good striker that he is, he will nevertheless come out frustrated at not having shaken the nets.
Iliman Ndiaye, still shy
The Senegalese recruit, positioned as a right winger until the entry of Ismaïla Sarr on the hour mark, struggled in his lane. Unfortunately, he was distinguished by several ball losses and some technical inaccuracies. While Joaquin Correa showed some interesting things in the first half, Ndiaye was too discreet even if his caviar behind Vitinha deserved an assist. The attacking midfielder recruited from Sheffield United is still blowing hot and cold since his arrival this summer. Despite all his will.
