Marseille concluded its week in the best possible way. Three days after the success at the Vélodrome against Ajax in the Europa League (4-3), it was in front of their home crowd that the Phocéens won against Rennes (3-0), this Sunday, during the 14th day of Ligue 1. A success which should delight some of the supporters, disappointed with a sluggish start to the season in the Championship.
“Review of December 3, three victories in 12 matches. General wake-up call: there are no arrangements,” indicated the Virage Nord banner on the sidelines of the meeting. 90 minutes later, a drought of four matches without a victory in Ligue 1 ended thanks to relentless realism. At the start of the match, Iliman Ndiaye took advantage of a relay with Amine Harit to infiltrate the left of the area. Arriving late, Christopher Wooh missed his intervention. Mr. Delajod pointed to the penalty point without hesitation. Author of a hat-trick in C3, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took Steve Mandanda on the wrong foot (1-0, 8th).
To reassure themselves, Rennes monopolized the ball (61% possession at the break) and relied on their trio Le Fée – Matic – Santamaria to multiply the phases of control. Without a sharp edge, like a too sharp shot from Martin Terrier (15th), the Bretons paid for their inaccuracies and returned to the locker room with a one-goal deficit. To make matters worse, Arthur Theate was forced to give way to Warmed Omari due to a left calf injury (40th).
Winning return for Ounahi, exclusion for Ndiaye
In the second half, the trend had not changed. Rennes remained technically inconsistent while Marseille waited to counterattack. In difficulty, Stade Rennais was penalized by a new uncontrolled gesture from Christopher Wooh who received a red (61st). The opportunity for OM to take advantage of it. Back in the eleven after his last start on October 21 against Nice, Azzedine Ounahi doubled the lead after a small number in the Rennes area (2-0, 65th). Clinique, Marseille struck twice: two shots on target, two goals.
The end of the match was tarnished by Iliman Ndiaye’s rough sole on Belocian’s shin. A gesture synonymous with exclusion for the Marseillais (68th). There was no time for worry though, Rennes still didn’t have any shots on target, and Julien Stéphan seemed without solutions on his bench. The bill could even have been higher, but Amine Harit’s goal was refused for offside (78th).
Thanks to its victory, Marseille is 9th and could return to three points from the European places if they succeed against Lyon on Wednesday in a highly anticipated late match.
