Axel Divio, Media365, published on Sunday November 3, 2024 at 11:14 p.m.
After the fiasco experienced against Paris Saint-Germain (0-3), the Olympian week will have been rather tense, with in addition to this humiliation to digest, a “Jean-Pierre Papin affair”, a battered club legend, to manage. Opposite, OM met FC Nantes who had not tasted success for 6 days of Ligue 1.
And Olympique de Marseille will demonstrate a certain strength of character by displaying an attractive face during a first half hour dominated by head and shoulders. Technical quality, determination in duels, intelligence of the game… In short, Roberto De Zerbi's players put in all the ingredients that were sorely lacking against PSG. A positive development marked by the return of the thunderous and twirling Mason Greenwood. The Englishman was in great form. From the outset, he will set the Nantes defense on fire and force Alban Lafont to make a nice save on the ground (7th). OM completely steals the ball from the Canaries, who increase their efforts (79% possession for Marseille at half-time). A domination rewarded by a goal of Neal Maupay – The Best Of Neal Maupayauthor of a sliding tackle to convert into a goal a perfect cross from the generous Jonathan Rowe (0-1, 25th). It is then the crossbar – found by the head of Mostafa Mohamed, close to the CSC – which will save the Nantes people stunned and without solution (29th).
But this OM remains fragile. A stoppage in play – caused by a technical problem with the refereeing body – will disrupt Marseille's good dynamic. FC Nantes will get back in the saddle with a first opportunity for Tino Kadewere who stumbles on the good exit of Geronimo Rulli (35th). With a beautiful volley, the former Lyonnais will not miss the second ammunition offered on a tray by Marcus Cocohelped by very wide marking (1-1, 39th). A cold realism difficult to swallow for OM, who will go on the attack again with their Rowe-Greenwood duo. In vain.
Greenwood decisive again
In the second half, the match could have gone either way. Blame it on haphazard ball handling, Mostafa Mohamed will not take advantage of an error from Leonardo Balerdi to go alone on goal (52nd), while Tino Kadewere will lack spontaneity to pivot into the area (59th). Opposite, Jonathan Rowe's “special” did not work against Alban Lafont (58th). Finally, the talent finally spoke ! Served by Luis Henrique in the axis from 20 meters, Mason Greenwood fired a low shot which finished flush with Alban Lafont's left post, too close to his impulse (1-2, 62nd). Pleasant, the game could have taken yet another turn without a decisive Geronimo Rulli against Mostafa Mohamed (64th) and especially a Tino Kadewere author of a huge miss – a face-to-face ended with an overhead shot – following a failed check by Geoffrey Kondogbia 20 meters from his goal (66th). A turning point, certainly! Because, in view of their sluggish end to the match, it was certainly possible to make this OM, still feverish and unable to take cover, falter. Adrien Rabiot could have taken away all the suspense, but his shot hit the post (83rd). OM will suffer, but will resist the 10 minutes of stoppage in play.
The affront against PSG is not yet over, but Olympique de Marseille, led by a Mason Greenwood of great evenings, was able to offer a great reaction by achieving its sixth success of the season. It is synonymous with second place, tied on points with AS Monaco. Enough to approach the reunion with the Vélodrome, against AJ Auxerre on Friday (11th day), with more serenity. For FC Nantes, the situation is clearly complicated with this seventh consecutive match without the slightest victory and a red zone which is getting dangerously close.
