Marseille and Lille neutralize each other in a shock at the top

When it comes time to take stock of this 2024-2025 season, this 15^e day of the French championship will perhaps count as a turning point. While waiting for the confrontation, Sunday, between the leader, Paris Saint-Germain, and the fifth, Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique de Marseille, second, could not do better than a draw at home, Saturday 14 December, facing a direct pursuer, Lille (1-1).

The Mastiffs, fourth and winners of Sturm Graz in the Champions League this week (3-2), have not lost in the league since September 13 (1-0 against Saint-Etienne). Bruno Genesio’s men, back on level terms at the end of the game, remain on a run of sixteen games without defeat in all competitions.

In this clash at the top of the table, Roberto de Zerbi’s men initially showed formidable efficiency. Marseille full-back Quentin Merlin scored his first goal in his new colors (17^e), on the very first ball touched by his partners in the Lille area, following an assist from former PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Subsequently, the Marseillais failed to make the difference, striker Neal Maupay notably hitting Lucas Chevalier’s post shortly before the hour mark (57^e).

Disputed action and arbitrator taken to task

Formidable in transition, Lille failed to find the fault in the first period, stumbling several times (8^e11^e25^e) on the Marseille goalkeeper, Geronimo Rulli and on a diligent and united Olympian defense.

Despite clear possession of the ball in its favor (57%), Olympique de Marseille then fell back in the second half, conceding a goal in the final moments of the match, on a header from defender Bafodé Diakité (1-1 , 87th) on a free kick perfectly taken by Rémy Cabella. “We said to ourselves that this defeat would have been unfair with all the opportunities we missed in the first half. We tried to score one in the second half. They scored on their only opportunity” explained the Lille savior after the meeting, speaking to BeIN Sports.

Frustrated by this equalization, especially as it came after a contentious action – midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg collapsed in the Lille penalty area following a push from defender Gabriel Gudmundsson (80^e) –, Roberto de Zerbi’s players were then punished for their indiscipline at a tense end to the match. “It’s difficult to keep words clean but with this atmosphere, it’s very frustrating to concede the draw. I don’t know if there was a penalty but I was in the box and I was pushed”declared Pierre-Emile Højbjerg after the match, speaking to BeIN Sports.

Defender Pol Lirola received a red card due to a dangerous tackle on midfielder André Gomes (90^e + 5). At the end of the match, referee Willy Delajod, sharply whistled by the Vélodrome, was attacked by the Marseille coach.

With this draw, second place for the Olympians is now under threat from Monaco, with one point, who travel to Reims (Saturday at 9 p.m.). Lille remains fourth, three points behind their opponent of the day.