The match: 2-1
If the series has not been stopped, OM having chained a fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions, the one conceded this Thursday in Lisbon against Benfica (1-2), in the quarter-final first leg of the Europa League, leaves room for hope. In a week at the Vélodrome stadium, the Olympians will have the cards in hand to continue their European journey. An almost unexpected conclusion as the Marseille club did not exist offensively against the Lisbon team.
If Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, well launched by Azzedine Ounahi, scored on one of his team’s only two shots on target (67th), the Portuguese attempts were much more numerous, especially in the first period. Rafa Silva did not take long to open the scoring with a nice sequence in the area (16th), before the former Parisian Angel Di Maria took advantage of a counter-attack and a cross from David Neres to offer a greater advantage to his team (52nd).
But as experienced as they are in the competition, Benfica, undefeated in the Europa League at home since December 2008 and the first club to play in six C3 quarter-finals, nonetheless remains fragile. When put under pressure. Further reduced by the serious injury of Quentin Merlin, the Marseillais played their part at the end. Without success. But in front of their supporters, who were finally very present, they did not end up being unworthy. They retain the right to dream.
18
Benfica remains undefeated at home against French clubs. The Lisbon side now have 18 matches without defeat (13 wins and 5 draws) at the Estadio da Luz in European competitions against French teams.
