As could be expected, this clash between OM and Lens will undoubtedly constitute a small turning point in this 2025-2026 Ligue 1 championship. The cards are in any case redistributed. Lens in fact fell (3-1) at the Stade Vélodrome and therefore left its leading position which it had occupied since December 1 (14th day) to PSG, a painful winner at Auxerre (1-0) on Friday evening.
After eight consecutive victories in Ligue 1, Lensoise’s fine series was shattered with a bang against a vengeful OM team three days after their non-match against Liverpool in the Champions League (0-3). The Marseillais who would have been dropped in the event of a setback return to five points behind Lens before their double trip to Paris (PFC on January 31 and PSG on February 8).
The clasico will be worth the trip, especially since the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) has asked the authorities that their Marseillais counterparts finally be authorized to go to the Park. There is little chance that they will be heard but, despite everything, the clasico will not lack flavor.
First match and first goal for Nwaneri
As is often the case, Roberto De Zerbi had lined up a surprise eleven. Top scorer in L1 (12 goals) and starter in 26 of the 28 matches played so far this season, Mason Greenwood was on the bench while the two recruits of the week, Quinten Timber (transferred from Feyenoord Rotterdam for 4.5 million euros) and Ethan Nwaneri (loaned by Arsenal) started.
His team’s intense start to the match proved the fiery Italian coach right. After 13 minutes, OM were already leading 2-0. Amine Gouiri struck first (1-0, 3rd) then Nwaneri gave himself a dream debut at the Stade Vélodrome. The 18-year-old English nugget, the youngest player in history to have debuted in the Premier League at 15 years and 181 days, well launched by Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg hooks Malang Sar, before adjusting Robin Riesser with a curling shot low to the ground (2-0, 13th). A Greenwood-style action and goal. With Nwaneri, sparkling for his first just 48 hours after his arrival, OM have indeed found their perfect clone.
Despite a quick tactical readjustment and a small reaction, the now ex-Lensois leader was stifled by Marseille’s pressing. The return to the Vélodrome of Florian Thauvin (281 matches, 86 goals in the Olympian jersey between 2017 and 2021), both whistled and applauded by his former audience, was rather timid.
OM continued to put on a show by adding a 3rd goal on a magnificent one-touch collective movement where Paixão, Gouiri, Greenwood then Weah touched the ball, and concluded by the Algerian international to score a double (3-0, 76th). The reduction in the score of Rayan Fofana (3-1, 85th) is too late and will not make us forget that Lens got through this shock at the top. Even if it does not call into question the excellent first part of the season of this team, it will have to show its reaction capabilities to claim a place on the podium in May.
OM, who will play their future in the Champions League on Wednesday at Club Bruges, showed that they could rely on an impressive attack, further strengthened during this transfer window. Even with an empty north turn (suspended for use of smoke bombs), the Vélodrome stadium can explode. With this performance, OM sent a strong message to its competitors.
