Weighed down by a deficit of efficiency, played by Jonathan David, LOSC almost saw its invincibility streak end against OM (1-1)this Saturday on the occasion of the 15th day of Ligue 1. From 3 to 6, discover our notes after this clash between podium contenders.
Man of the match
As is often the case when LOSC has a big match, Benjamin Andrew (6) is no stranger to it. Very close to opening the scoring to Hákon Haraldsson (5) at the start of the game, the northern captain then multiplied himself to the four corners of the pitch, in his characteristic style. A driving force behind the very good northern pressure and counter-pressure, he did not hesitate to reach very high, even if it meant finding himself alongside Jonathan David in certain phases. In his use of the ball, he was also very clean (87% successful passes, 8 deep passes), acting as a metronome during a large part of the match.
The satisfactions
Ultimately very little requested, Lucas Chevalier (6) initially admitted defeat in the face of Quentin Merlin’s beautiful sequence (17′). Saved by his post at the start of the second half, he also causes Neal Maupay to move off-center and thus have a less comfortable striking angle (56′). Subsequently, he was decisive on two occasions to prevent OM from making the break. First by diverting Leonardo Balerdi’s header above his crossbar (57′), then by showing himself solid to ward off Rabiot’s powerful strike (77′). Good Lucas Chevalier.
As is often the case when LOSC needs a savior, he is given the number 18. In difficulty defensively, even coming quite close to expulsion after committing several fouls on Neal Maupay, Bafode Diakité (5) finally managed to prove decisive by equalizing at the end of the game. Higher than everyone, the former Toulousain extended a good free kick from Rémy Cabella into the back of the net, for his part author of a good entry into play.
The disappointments
A week after crossing the 100-goal mark with LOSC in fine fashion by scoring a double against Brest, Jonathan David (3) experienced a very different match in Marseille. If Geronimo Rulli made a save quite exceptionally by throwing himself hard at his feet (13′), the Canadian then appeared borrowed on several occasions. Number 9 notably wasted several high recoveries, the fault of poor control (21′) or a lack of spontaneity (25′). At the very start of the second half, he missed a one-on-one after a serve on a plate from Hakon Haraldsson (53′).
In a match played at a frantic pace, Ngal’ayel Mukau (3) often gave the feeling of not keeping up. Lacking sharpness with the ball, the young midfielder also struggled without the ball, struggling to read the opponent’s movements. So much so that it sometimes gave the feeling of being literally lost. And while his athletic dimension could have allowed him to reassure himself, in order to win duels and thus gradually enter his match, the number 17 of the Mastiffs also suffered in this area.
Romain PECHON
OM – LOSC notes:
Chevalier (6), Mandi (4.5), Diakité (5), Alexsandro (5), Gudmundsson (4), Mukau (3), André (6) – Zhegrova (4), Haraldsson (5), Fernandez Pardo ( 4) – David (3), Bakker (5)
Photo credits: Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport
