Made to work hard by an Ajax side in much better form than in the first leg, Marseille who were 2-1 down after normal time went and grabbed their qualification thanks to a goal from Mears.

Brilliant at the Parc des Princes three days earlier, OM won their qualification for the UEFA Cup quarter finals in Amsterdam with other values.
In many ways the match was the opposite of the first leg won last week (2-1). OM suffered at the hands of a transformed Ajax side, but were able to score at the right moments. If Niang’s first goal ensured that OM would at least force extra time, a goal from an unexpected quarter, Mears, managed to avoid an often uncertain penalty shoot-out. Marseille really hasd to put in great efforts as nobody expected them to go through after regular time. This is information that needs to be taken from tonight’s match. As well as being able to play brilliantly like against Paris, this side is also able to soak up pressure and play cleverly as they did on Wednesday.

The match

Erik Gerets made some changes to the side that was victorious in Paris. Sticking to the 4-2-3-1 formation, Rodriguez, M'Bami and Niang started the match. In the second half Ziani, Samassa and Ben Arfa came into the fray.

In a boling hot atmosphere at the ArenA ringing to the sounds of André Rieu in celebration of the 109th anniversary of the club, Ajax made life tough for OM with the mobility of their forwards Suarez and Sulejmani. Van Basten’s men quickly took advantage of a hesitation in the OM defence. 20 metres out from goal, Suarez found Enoh in the box passing through the legs of Rodriguez. Played on side by Mears, the Cameroon international beat Mandanda from close range (33’, 1-0). Two minutes, was all the time that OM needed to equalise. Koné playing a perfect pass to Niang with the Senegalese international got in between the keeper and the last defender to fire home (35’, 1-1). A reaction that would be very important at the end of the evening.
The match was turning distinctly in favour of the Dutchmen after the break. A first alert came when Mandanda superbly came out and saved at the feet of Suarez, after the Uruguayen had controlled perfectly (54’). The Dutch domination continued to grow, but the OM defence held firm. Right up until the talented Suarez waltzed around the defence before crossing for the head of Sulejmani, who was able to head home (74’, 2-1). The OM keeper then saved his side when stretching full length to save a ball deflected by Cheyrou (83’).
This kept the score level after the two matches and brought the game to extra time. During this extra time OM started playing more offensively, firing over the bar through Samassa (97’) and then seeing Vermeer punch away another effort from the same Samassa (101’). Then came the famous 109th minute when a free-kick from Zenden was headed by a number of players, Samassa’s header finding the shaven head of OM’s Englishman who silenced the ArenA (109’, 2-2). Between Paris and Amsterdam, Mears has had an express apprenticeship. And, OM will be watching Friday’s quarter final draw with great interest.