The first period could have been the start of a nightmarish evening. Faithful to their game plan, Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg exploited the wanderings of a misaligned and overly predictable OM in its initiatives. Emegha’s goal in the 23rd minute sanctioned a defensive reading that could be improved. On a bright opening from Andrey Santos, the Alsatian striker overtook an apathetic Marseille defense to deceive Gerónimo Rulli. Before this goal, Strasbourg had not even entered the opposing area: a statistic which says everything about their effectiveness and the structural limits of OM.
Already beaten in the Coupe de France this week, Roberto De Zerbi’s men seemed uninspired. Bilal Nadir, lined up from the start, and Brassier, established in defense, did not offer the guarantees hoped for, while the attack came down to individual initiatives, like this breakthrough from Luis Henrique in the 37th minute. The Marseillais seemed condemned to repeat their recent mistakes, facing an opponent who was too well organized.
Wake up in the second half
But in the second half, the scenario was reversed. The young Robinio Vaz, who came on after the hour mark, brought new energy to the left side. At the 68e minute, he won a penalty, pushed by Andrey Santos. Mason Greenwood, until then discreet, did not tremble against Petrovic. With a powerful and precise shot, he scored his 12e goal of the season in Ligue 1, overtaking Bradley Barcola and Jonathan David to sit alone at the top of the scoring charts.
-This goal woke up a Vélodrome that had long been sluggish and gave the illusion that OM could pull off a victory. But despite a clearer domination in the second half, De Zerbi’s men never found the fault in the Strasbourg block, well grouped together to preserve their point.
In the rankings, this draw does not suit anyone. Marseille remains ten lengths behind a PSG which is escaping, while Lille and Monaco continue to get dangerously close. If this point saves appearances, it also underlines the chronic irregularity of an OM which struggles to find its rhythm in a Ligue 1 where each misstep is costly.
