The 31st day of Ligue 1 closed on a high note this Sunday evening. Olympique de Marseille opened the doors of its legendary Vélodrome to the Racing Club de Lens for a duel that smelled like gunpowder between two clubs actively fighting for a European ticket at the end of the season. For the locals, the opportunity was also to build confidence by reassuring themselves before the clash against Atalanta in the semi-final first leg of the Europe League, scheduled for Thursday evening. At home, the Phocéens were organized in a 3-5-2 with Pau Lopez who officiated as the last defense. In front of him, we found Amir Murillo, Samuel Gigot and Leonardo Balerdi in defense. The midfield consisted of Jordan Veretout, Amine Harit and Pape Gueye with Jonathan Clauss and Ulisses Garcia in piston roles. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Iliman Ndiaye were associated in attack. For their part, the Northerners were structured in a 3-4-1-2 with Brice Samba in the cages behind Massadio Haïdara, Kevin Danso and Facundo Medina. Nampalys Mendy and Neil El-Aynaoui made up the midfield with Premislaw Frankowski and Deiver Machado in the wings. In front, Florian Sotoca and Elye Wahi were supported by Angelo Fulgini.
The rest After this ad
The meeting quickly got carried away with the opening score signed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (1st, 1-0). Launched on the right, Iliman Ndiaye entered the area and crossed hard in front of the goal. The Gabonese emerged to deviate victoriously to the left of the cage. The Lensois almost reacted immediately but Angelo Fulgini’s header from a cross from Florian Sotoca (4th) was off target. On a corner taken by Jonathan Clauss, Murillo then Gueye respectively placed a powerful header but which was deflected then off target (10th). After a big mistake on his pass, the Panamanian side gave the ball to Elye Wahi who hooked Pau Lopez before missing the target in the empty goal (11th). If OM had the opportunity to double the lead on this too-cross shot from Jordan Veretout (21st), the Sang et Or also had several situations to equalize, notably at the feet of Nampalys Mendy but his shot was repelled by the Spanish goalkeeper (31st), then with the off-target double header from Kevin Danso and Florian Sotoca (38th). At the break, OM were leading in this lively part.
The awakening of Saïd, Gueye the savior!
The second act quickly became tense with great aggression and intensity. Many yellow cards were displayed by the referee of the match, Mr. Eric Wattellier, who successively warned Kevin Danso, Leonardo Balerdi, Elye Wahi, after having already distributed his first card to Pape Gueye in the first period. The second half had its share of waste without any real big opportunities. Marseille tried to delay with a possession phase to regain some technical mastery. After the hour mark, Franck Haise made his first changes, the majority focused on the offensive, with the entries of David Pereira da Costa and Wesley Saïd for the end of the match. OM seemed to contain Lens’ offensives well while the Northerners failed to create danger until the last quarter of an hour.
The rest after this ad
Overwhelmed physically and technically, OM had difficulty resisting the numerous offensive attacks from Lens. Several players seemed totally tired. It was at this moment that Lens brought in some new blood with Ayanda Sishuba and Andy Diouf who appeared to bring a second wind to the Artésiens. And with real success. Indeed, launched on the left, Massadio Haïdara curled a perfect cross towards the penalty spot which ideally found Wesley Saïd. His header landed perfectly on the right of Pau López’s goal (77th, 1-1). Lens knew how to hurt Marseille at the best of times, the Artésiens then seemed much better physically. But everything changed again. Following a very poor recovery in the Lens axis, Pape Gueye recovered the ball. He relied in the area on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who found him on the left side. The Senegalese’s cross shot landed on the right of the goal (85th, 2-1). In the rankings, OM, positioned in 7th place, returns to their evening opponent, RC Lens still in 6th position. Only two points separate them.
Pub. THE 04/28/2024 22:56
Update 04/28/2024 11:50 p.m.
