Not much has resisted Olympique de Marseille lately. Remaining on six victories in a row in all competitions before receiving Montpellier, this Sunday evening at the Vélodrome, the Phocéens made the pass of seven by dismissing the Héraultais without trembling (2-0). Even without part of his ultras, deprived of the meeting for minor incidents during the match against Nice. This new victory which allows Jorge Sampaoli’s men to follow the infernal rhythm imposed by Stade Rennais and to cling to second place in the standings.
Harit and Dieng confirm
With Mandanda but without Payet, on the bench at kick-off, nor Arkadiusz Milik, unavailable, the Phocaeans relied on their other creators of attack and midfield. After resisting Montpellier’s heavy pressing from the start, Marseille quickly took the lead. Rongier finds Harit on the right side, the Moroccan rushes towards the surface of Omlin, resists the return of Estève and cleverly serves Dieng, forgotten on the left side (1-0, 9e).
A first flash for Amine Harit, again author of a high quality match after his good performance in Saint-Étienne. The Phocaeans then rely on the VAR to double the bet: while Mr. Stinat had initially not taken up Jordan Ferri’s tackle on Dieng in the area, he finally awarded the penalty after viewing the images. An offering that Ünder hastened to transform (2-0, 19e).
Voluntary, the Montpellier residents lack precision in the last gesture to worry the locals. Neither Mavididi, twice (14th, 42nd) nor Savanier, who could have taken advantage of a kamikaze relaunch from Kamara in the middle (51st), managed to set their sights. Only thrill for Montpellier: the entry into play of Rémy Cabella, back home after leaving Russia.
Little worried, Marseille can quietly preserve its advantage. An advantage that could even have been increased without a huge miss from Gerson, alone in front of goal but who completely missed his recovery from the right (74th). At the very end of the match, Omlin is excluded for a poorly controlled outing on Henrique, launched alone in front of his surface, and lets his teammates finish at 10.
On fire before Paris
Thanks to this fourth success in a row in Ligue 1, Marseille therefore recovers second place in the standings, provisionally stolen by Rennes on Saturday, and puts itself in the best conditions before its trip to the Parc des Princes next Sunday. A Classic against PSG that the Marseillais will live, for only the second time since the start of the QSI era, in the shoes of the dolphin of his rival.
The last time was… in the first leg. The Marseillais, in great shape, had imposed a great challenge on Parisians who were a little disoriented and frankly not up to the task (0-0). Given the recent form of the two teams and the challenges at the end of the season, this 102nd Classic already promises to be at least as electric.
Match sheet
My time. 2-0
Arbitrator. Jérémy Stinat
Buts. Dieng (9th) and Under (19th)
Cartons. Yellows: Ferri (18th), Leroy (66th); Red: Omlin (90th)
OM: Mandanda – Rongier (Lirola, 79th), Saliba, Kamara, Peres – Guendouzi, Gueye (Kolasinac, 79th), Gerson – Ünder (Payet, 60th), Harit, Dieng (Henrique, 60th). Entr. : Jorge Sampaoli.
Montpellier: Omlin – Souquet (Sambia, 80th), Sakho, Estève, Cozza – Mollet (Germain, 63rd), Leroy, Ferri (Makouana, 80th), Wahi (Cabella, 63rd) – Savanier – Mavididi. Entr. : Michel Der Zakarian.
