Led by Greenwood, OM overthrow Rennes

Olympique de Marseille asserts itself as the runner-up. This Saturday, January 11, as part of the 17th day of Ligue 1, the Cité Phocéenne club consolidated its second place in the standings thanks to its success gleaned at Roazhon Park against Stade Rennais. At the break, the great operation was however very far from being completed…

Because the Breton team has something to worry about given the appearance of the first act. It all started with a first duel lost at close range by Arnaud Kalimuendo against Geronimo Rulli (28th), following a cross from Ludovic Blas poorly anticipated by Leonardo Balerdi (28th). The Rouge et Noir striker lost a second in the process, but this time from a penalty. The ex-Parisian and Lensois crossed his attempt with his right foot, but the Marseille goalkeeper stretched out to deflect the ball onto the post (32nd). A missed opportunity to open the score against the dominant Phocaeans, but not necessarily more dangerous than their hosts. It took a remarkable intervention from Christopher Wooh to prevent Mason Greenwood from opening the scoring after a raid on the left side. After seeing the Englishman move back into the axis then follow up with a dry strike, the local defender managed to divert the leather in front of his cages (15th).

Greenwood turns the match on its head

Six minutes later, it was once again the ex-Mancunian who sent a thrill through the Roazhon bays, serving Adrien Rabiot behind on the left of the area. With an uncontrolled recovery with the flat of his right foot, the Marseille midfielder called on Brice Samba, vigilant to repel his fists and make his first decisive save in Rennes colors (21st). And while all these little people seemed to be heading back to back to the locker room, it was… Arnaud Kalimuendo who appeared to finally deceive Rulli, at the conclusion of a counter guided by Blas and relayed by Lorenz Assignon, decisive passer ( 42nd). Barely time to enjoy for the Bretons when the other man in view of this first act Mason Greenwood intervened to equalize, well served by Murillo at the penalty spot (45th). His eleventh goal since the start of the season.

But for Marseille number 10 this season, there is only one step between the status of scorer and that of decisive passer. As soon as he returned from the locker room, the Briton distinguished himself again by placing a cross on the head of Adrien Rabiot. The French international’s recovery ended like a dead leaf in the net of a helpless Brice Samba (49th, 1-2). On this one, at least. After repelling a new attempt from… Greenwood (61st), the former Lensois pulled out all the stops in front of Luis Henrique’s tight-angle shot. Continuing the action, it was Murillo who followed to take over with his right foot. But once again, the neo-Rennais intervened to prevent his team from sinking (64th).

Thanks to this result, OM, undefeated since November 8 and their setback at the Vélodrome against Auxerre (1-3), takes four steps ahead of AS Monaco, third and held to a draw by FC Nantes this Friday (2-2), and provisionally returns to four others from the Parisian leader, expected against Saint-Étienne at the end of this 18th day this Sunday (8:45 p.m.). Heading now for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against LOSC on Tuesday (9:10 p.m.) before hosting Strasbourg in the championship (Sunday, 8:45 p.m.). For its part, Rennes sinks with a tenth defeat in seventeen games. Already beaten in Nice a week ago (2-3), the Breton club occupies thirteenth place in the ranking, with only one point ahead of Saint-Étienne, the play-off. Jorge Sampaoli’s Rouge et Noir are expected in Troyes on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) for the Coupe de France, with a crucial Breton derby against Brest, still at Roazhon, next Saturday (7 p.m.).

Ligue 1: the ranking