A frustrating match for both teams. This Saturday, OM and Lille left the Vélodrome back to back, during the 15th day of Ligue 1 (1-1). Long ahead in the score, Marseille may have regrets at the accounting level. The Marseillais had the opportunity to come back to two points behind PSG and remain four points behind. For its part, Lille could also have claimed victory due to numerous situations.
The top spot between 2nd and 4th kept all its promises. Marseille and Lille began by offering spectators 45 minutes of rare intensity. Less than 72 hours after their success against Sturm Graz which confirmed their qualification for the C1 final phase, Les Dogues wasted no time in getting back into their match. A corner from Matias Fernandez-Pardo, deflected by Benjamin André, almost benefited Hakon Haraldsson. But the Icelander was too short to extend the ball deep (6th). Two minutes later, Fernandez-Pardo put Geronimo Rulli to work (8th), the tone was set.
Already found wanting on several occasions, the Marseille defense then almost gave in once again. An opening from Diakité offered David a face-to-face encounter. But the Canadian came up against a lively exit from Rulli, greeted by the Vélodrome (11th). Without panicking, Marseille has, as often this season, demonstrated relentless realism. Thanks to an intelligent stall, Neal Maupay put back on Luis Henrique, who put Adrien Rabiot into orbit. The former Juventini shifted Quentin Merlin, who did not tremble in front of Chevalier. Marseille shot once, enough to open the scoring (1-0, 17th).
Stunned, Lille still had several chances – all unsuccessful – before the break. Apart from a new shot on target from David (25th), Zhegrova also missed her duel against Rulli by missing her dive, despite the absence of defenders (32nd). Deprived of the Kosovar, who was injured and replaced by Mitchel Bakker, the Mastiffs came up against Rulli again after another opportunity from David (53rd). A sign of a disjointed match, it was OM’s turn to get a huge opportunity. In a tight angle, Maupay managed to erase Chevalier. The left post, however, deprived De Zerbi and his team of the break (56th).
Lucas Chevalier then had to be vigilant to keep away the head of Léo Balerdi (57th) and the strike of Rabiot (77th). During the following action, a magnificent reflex from Geronimo Rulli avoided a csc to Léo Balerdi (78th). Imprecise in the game despite several clear chances, Lille found the fault on a free kick. On a brushed cross from Cabella, Diakité’s head lobbed Rulli, helpless for the first time of the evening (1-1, 87th).
In a tense atmosphere and complaints coming from both camps, Pol Lirola received a red in added time for a late intervention on André Gomes. At the final whistle, Willy Delajod – the referee of the game – was attacked by Roberto de Zerbi. Both teams therefore leave unsatisfied, despite a very open match.
