OM are not always convincing but OM are making progress. And unlike his competitors, he wins the matches he is supposed to win. Thus, the team of Jorge Sampaoli won 4-2 at Geoffroy-Guichard, on the ground of Saint-Etienne, current play-off. And thanks to the draw between Nice and Rennes (1-1) on Saturday, the Phocaeans consolidate their 2nd place in Ligue 1.
The days of Ligue 1 pass and, two months from the goal, Marseille asserts itself as an increasingly credible vice-champion. While PSG remain in crisis since their European elimination, OM want to believe in their luck with a trip to the Park in 15 days… Something to spice up the end of the season, if the planets align on the Canebière.
Pascal Dupraz, the coach of Saint-Etienne, did not fail to pledge allegiance to the Marseille giant: “We were playing against OM and the gap in the standings was confirmed. We weren’t present enough in the passing times. We felt that we were going to crack … “On the strict level of the game, however, Marseille did not seem immune to one of the slippages which he suffered a month ago – 0-2 in front of Clermont , 1-1 in Troyes at the end of February.
Yesterday, after a pure “Arconada” signed by goalkeeper Pau Lopez, which allowed the goal of Bouanga (1-0, 9th) and the greatest hopes of Saint-Etienne, OM put their paw on the game and regained control of the score thanks to a penalty from Payet (1-1, 45th + 2), an own goal from Kolodziejczak (1-2, 60th), then goals from Dieng (1-3, 68th) and Harit (1-4, 73rd).
“The team shows a lot of enthusiasm to achieve the objectives”
“It’s a satisfying victory, estimated Payet, author of his 10th goal this season, his most important total since he was Marseille (2017-2018), three units from his record, 13 goals, in the Saint-Etienne jersey in 2011. We take this first goal but we stayed on what we wanted to do. We have a clear idea which is to play. We played in their camp and we created a lot of chances. We had to be focused, we were. »
This victory, the third in a row, has the effect of filling Sampaoli with confidence. “I think that in the first half, Saint-Etienne had only one action which gave the goal. We saw a total domination of Marseille. We must not slack off and we must be efficient when it is more difficult. I think we are ready to have it both ways. The team shows a lot of enthusiasm to achieve the objectives, both in the league and in the European Cup. »
Next deadlines for OM: the quarter-final of the Europa Conference League against PAOK Salonika (April 7 and 14), the reception of Montpellier (April 10). And a test, a real one, against PSG at the Parc in 15 days.
