Lens 1-3 OM: the scores of the Olympians!

THE TOPS

We're not going to repeat ourselves yet, but Geronimo Rulli was one of the best Olympians of the evening. Apart from an error of judgment in the first minutes which Machado did not take advantage of, the Argentine goalkeeper made a series of decisive saves, notably one-on-one in front of Pereira Da Costa in the 41st minute of play.

First put in difficulty by the Lens midfield, the Danish international was also able, like Valentin Rongier and Adrien Rabiot, to win. It allows OM to breathe at the end of the match after scoring on a free kick with an unstoppable strike for Brice Samba.

After a completely failed first period, including a missed face-off following a serve from Ulisses Garcia, the Olympian striker was able to reverse the trend upon returning from the locker room. He was a decisive passer twice, for Rongier then for Luis Henrique, perfectly offsetting his two teammates on their goals.

This is undoubtedly Adrien Rabiot's best match in the Olympique de Marseille jersey. Positioned on the left, but higher than usual, he contributed enormously by multiplying the runs and projections forward. In the first period, he was one of the few to exist against the Lensois pressure.

Back in Roberto De Zerbi's eleven, Valentin Rongier took time to get into his match, like his teammates. He gradually gained strength over the minutes, winning numerous balls, then becoming a scorer on a superb serve from Neal Maupay (49th). He was severely punished with a yellow card for a foul on Thomasson (19th). The midfielder is replaced by Bilal Nadir.

SATISFYING

The Marseille captain started his meeting very badly with a restart error close to his area which, fortunately for his team, did not give Lens a goal. But the Argentinian was able to recover and multiply the good interventions, even if he was overtaken by Pereira Da Costa in the first period. He is also partly responsible for the Lensois goal with another recovery error.

The Englishman alternated hot and cold in Lens. Rarely inspired, he was decisive on the first goal by perfectly finding Maupay for the opener signed by Rongier, but also on the 2nd by perfectly launching the counter-attack. In the game, it is still insufficient. Jonathan Rowe replaces him at the end of the match.

Positioned in a right piston role, the Brazilian was initially rather discreet and rarely took risks. Like OM, he came back with other intentions in the second half, like his goal where he sprinted to offer a solution to Neal Maupay (57th).

To everyone's surprise, it was the young 21-year-old midfielder, who is returning from a ruptured cruciate ligament, who entered first in the last quarter of an hour. A correct entry. He is one of the major players at the end of the match with the free kick obtained (thanks to VAR) on the action of the goal refused in Lens. A free kick which will be transformed by Hojbjerg.

AVERAGE

Positioned in a left piston role, he did not hesitate to project himself onto his lane with more or less success. Defensively, he again showed some shortcomings that could have been detrimental for his team.

Honest match from the Panamanian, who remained rather discreet. He was interesting in certain ball releases to counter the Lensois pressure in his position as third central defender.

Kondogbia was less calm than Leonardo Balerdi due to certain hesitant interventions, like Angelo Fulgini's goal. However, it was interesting at certain times in the recovery.

In a quarter of an hour of play, we didn't see much of the young Englishman, who was not chosen by his coach to start this evening.

He found Bollaert, but only for added time.

For greater readability, the Phocéen editorial team introduces you to its new grading grid:

From 0 to 3 – DISTRESSING

The player was terrible. Everything is said!

From 3.5 to 4 – FLOPS

The player missed his match, he is clearly in the flops

From 4.5 – DEADLY

The match is considered mediocre, meaning it is below average. The player was not satisfied.

From 5 to 5.5 – MEDIUM

But at this level, professionals must bring more to their team. The performance is not necessarily satisfactory…

From 6 to 6.5 – SATISFACTORY

Finally ! The match is considered good. The player played a good game, even if he could do better. He did the job as they say in the jargon.

From 7 to 8.5 – THE TOPS

Very good match. The player brought everything he could to his team and we can't ask much more of him.

From 9 to 10 – EXCEPTIONAL

Make no mistake, these notes will not be released often. They will salute an extraordinary game from one of our Olympians.