It has become a classic. For several years, the vast majority of teams have placed a player lying behind the wall in the event of a well-placed free kick. A thankless role, an almost laughable situation for observers but which forces the shooter to go around the wall. This Wednesday evening, Olympique de Marseille made another choice against Liverpool in the Champions League. And he paid dearly (0-3).
After resisting the attacks of the Reds throughout the first period, the Phocaeans were stunned by the intelligence of Dominik Szoboszlai. Taking advantage of a free kick 25 m away caused by a mistake as obvious as it was stupid by Leonardo Balerdi, the Hungarian midfielder found the opening at ground level on the left of Gerónimo Rulli, totally helpless on this shot (0-1, 45th + 1).
The dream was over. Tactics ruined. For 45 minutes, the Marseillais had nevertheless endeavored to slow down the game, to try to keep the ball without taking any risks, without exposing themselves to counter-attacks from the English arrows. We saw Balerdi chain sequences of sterile possession in the heart of the defense. Enough to keep the 0-0 but not very exciting, especially as the technical errors accumulated.
“I’m disgusted with the match we had”
Roberto De Zerbi’s men still created two small chances. But Benjamin Pavard was too short to take the cross from Hamed Traoré (11th), while Amine Gouiri’s shot was repelled by Alisson (27th). The Reds were more dangerous, with a nice strike from Alexis Mac Allister (19th), a goal canceled for offside from Hugo Ekitike (23rd) and a subtle deflection from Mohamed Salah on the roof of the goal (40th).
Lost for lost, Olympique de Marseille, who had paid tribute before the match to Rolland Courbis during a beautiful minute of applause, let loose after the break. The light obviously came from Ligue 1’s top scorer, Mason Greenwood, who managed to shake the Reds’ defense with his solitary raids. With a tense shot, the Englishman forced Alisson to relax (52nd). His left-footed attempt was then blocked by an opposing defender (53rd).
If boldness can sometimes pay off, it can also be expensive. The former Parisian Hugo Ekitike, jeered during the warm-up but unbearable throughout the meeting, came within a few centimeters of definitively burying the Marseillais. His recovery from the right, however, hit Rulli’s post (59th). The final blow finally came in the 72nd minute, when the Argentine goalkeeper pushed the ball into his own goal after tremendous work from Jeremie Frimpong. Cody Gakpo sealed the deal in the final seconds (90th + 2). “I’m disgusted by the match we had, we have to digest it,” said Facundo Medina.
A decisive trip to Bruges
For Marseille, everything will be decided next Wednesday, during the 8th and final day of the Champions League, with a trip to Club Bruges without Benjamin Pavard, suspended for too many yellow cards. A challenge within reach of the Phocaeans against a Belgian team which, despite a large victory against Kairat Almaty on Tuesday (1-4), has been struggling for several weeks.
Last December, Bruges fired their coach Nicky Hayen to everyone’s surprise, replacing him with former club coach Ivan Leko. A choice criticized by former OM coach Rudi Garcia, now coach of Belgium, and which does not convince. The door is therefore open for the Marseillais, especially since one point should be enough to compete in the play-offs of this C1.
