Marseille eliminates Saint-Etienne without trembling

Saint-Etienne (L1): 0
Marseille (L1) : 4

Same demonstration, and this time with a humiliation to Geoffroy-Guichard: Marseille easily won against Saint-Etienne (0-4), Sunday December 22 in 32^es final of the Coupe de France, two weeks after having already outclassed the Greens in the championship (0-2).

Marseille's victory, the fourth in the last five outings (a draw against Lille last Saturday), was made all the easier by the fact that ASSE, which lost for the fourth time in a row in all competitions, lost is found at 10 against 11 after the exclusion of Ibrahim Sissoko for a bad gesture on Leonardo Balerdi, from the 21st^e minute.

In the process, Luis Henrique, with a deflection of the head, found Mason Greenwood who missed goalkeeper Brice Maubleu with a left shot (22^e) for his eleventh goal of the season (10 in Ligue 1).

Stations of the Cross for the Greens

Numerically tied, the task was already very difficult with 74% possession for the Phocaeans in the first quarter of an hour. But trailing by one goal with 70 minutes to play in inferiority, it quickly appeared insurmountable for the Stéphanois, 16^es in the championship and play-offs. Especially since the Greens were led from the sidelines by interim Laurent Huard, director of the training center, under the watchful eye of the club's new coach, Eirik Horneland, installed in the presidential stand.

The Norwegian was able, first-hand, to see the task that promises to be immense to give momentum to a squad which has once again shown its limits even if the Greens deplored the absence of many potentially starting players.

The giant toro of OM

Largely dominating (12 shots to 1 at half-time), and always with the impression of imposing a “visit” giant to their opponent, OM, with their typical team at kick-off with the exception of goalkeeper Jeffrey De Lange starting in place of Geronimo Rulli, logically brought the score to 2-0. And this on a volley from Adrien Rabiot receiving a corner played by Greenwood (34^e). The two players had already scored on December 8 during the confrontation between the two teams in the championship.

Furthermore, attempts by Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg (27^e), Valentin Rongier (29^e) or Quentin Merlin (32^e) were very narrowly missed.

The second half looked like a long way of the cross for Saint-Etienne. Marseille continued to dominate but could have been surprised with two notable actions. Mathieu Cafaro pushed De Lange to the parade (58^e). Shortly after, Balerdi was decisive by coming back on the young Cheikh Fall who had gone on the counterattack and was slowed down by his duel with the Dutch goalkeeper of OM (60^e).

But the Marseillais added a third goal by Luis Henrique who scored from close range, after a first attempt by Rongier deflected by Dylan Batubinsika (69^e).

Höjbjerg then took charge of bringing the score to 4-0, alone in the area after a serve from Jonathan Rowe (81^e) while the Saint-Etienne kops began to challenge the new owners of ASSE by demanding “a team worthy of its audience”.

Half time: 0-2.
Referee: M. Stinat.
Buts : Greenwood (22^e), Rabiot (34^e), Luis Henrique (69^e), Hojbjerg (81^e).
Warnings: in Saint-Etienne, Cafaro (24^e), Mouton (42^e), Ekwah (59^e), Abdelhamid (74^e), Miladinovic (90^e) ; in Marseille, Rowe (74^e).
Expulsion : in Saint-Etienne, Sissoko (21^e).