OM therefore ended their crazy week last night with a crucial victory against a direct competitor for the podium, now relegated nine lengths behind. It must be admitted that the swirling Mistral can play some serious tricks on the Marseillais, less polished during their last two outings in the league – 2-2 against Toulouse, 0-1 in Lille – but perked up in four days, in the wake of a precious success in Brussels in C1 (3-2) and therefore a victory “of character” against Monegasques who were imprecise or not helped by the refereeing – goal from Camara (51st) denied for a passive offside by Balogun.
In a closing shock of the 16th day which has long kept its promises, the Olympians finally won thanks to a new achievement from their best element, Mason Greenwood, who is gradually establishing himself in the current landscape as the best player in France. Involved in the three Marseille achievements on the Union Saint-Gilloise field, the English winger did it again this Sunday evening to offer OM their 10th championship victory of the year.
A fundamental forceps success which allows the Olympians to stay in contact with Lens (5 points) and PSG (4 pts) – whom they will face on January 24 (9:05 p.m.) and February 8 (8:45 p.m.) -, and to distance themselves from the pursuers from Lyon (5 pts) and Rennes (5 pts). Behind, the hole seems already made and the gap too big to imagine the Blue and White falling in the ranking.
De Zerbi: “The real Marseille was born on September 1”
Author of another convincing performance, American international Timothy Weah (25 years old, 47 caps, 7 goals) said: “This victory does us good. We worked a lot this week. We knew that Monaco is a good team, it was tough until the end. But we were able to make the difference in front of goal, that’s what allowed us to win. We played a very big match, I’m proud of the team, we must continue like this. »
In the Vélodrome auditorium, Roberto De Zerbi analyzed with hindsight: “We must be satisfied with what we are doing, including today’s victory (read Sunday), because it was a victory of character, of pride, of will. This is one of the matches that I will remember most from my experience in Marseille. But we cannot be entirely satisfied, because we stupidly let points slip away against Angers (2-2) and Toulouse (2-2), but also in the first matches of the season (setbacks in Rennes and Lyon) when we weren’t ready. Because the real Marseille was born on September 1st. »
A Dantesque calendar to come
Four months later, OM are still in the race in the Champions League (16th with 9 points) as in Ligue 1 and are preparing to experience a pivotal period. “January will be crucial: ten matches in thirty-five days. We will have to put the turbo on, everyone will have to get involved, players and staff. The matches against Lens and PSG are worth three points like the others, but they come in a key period, pointed out the native of Brescia. If we are complete, I will be able to manage energies better. With returns like Medina, Traoré or Gouiri, it is more difficult to choose the eleven, but easier to manage the group. »
An agenda that does not frighten George Weah’s son: “In Marseille, you always want to win. We will push until the end to do something. We have the workforce to achieve great things. It won’t be easy, because the championship is tough, with Lens, Paris, Lille… But we have to be fair, play well and continue to push together. » Yesterday evening, the Phocaeans showed that they had resources and were looking towards the top of the ranking.
