After the win in Caen, it seemed to most observers that the OM machine was back on track, having played an assertive character at the Stade d’Ornano. The result needed to be followed up on Wednesday at the Vélodrome; but it didn’t materialise.
The Phocaeans conceded their first home defeat of the season. And unfortunately you could see it coming as the game progressed. “We played poorly right from the start. It’s OM’s worst match for a long time,” lamented Albert Emon after the match.
Saved by Mandanda’s imperious form in front of Ederson until half time and solid policing of the area by Faty (he replaced Givet, who strained a muscle) and Rodriguez, the Marseillais cracked at the beginning of the second half.
Mandanda had just spectacularly turned another stunning shot away, this time from an Ederson free kick, for a corner. But Echouafni’s header sailed on for Hognon, who blasted past the OM keeper from point blank range (50’, 0-1).
Moussilou came on after the break for Ziani, which allowed Niang to return to his habitual left flank. After the first goal, Albert Emon was forced to take more risks and replaced Taiwo with Zenden. But despite a shot and a header from Moussilou (off target), the Marseillais didn’t really seem likely to trouble Lloris by getting back on even terms. Worse, they conceded a second goal to the Niçois, at the death, on a spectacular counter attack led by Koné and concluded by Hellebuyck (87’, 0-2).
After the match, Pape Diouf qualified the performance as “unacceptable” that the side “hadn’t created a single scoring chance”, that “an opposition side had dictated play so strongly at the Vélodrome” and that “certain players on whom the club was relying hadn’t been up to the level required by the club.”
A blistering report that confirms the Olympien determination “not to sit back and cross the arms,” as the OM President put it.
Act and react. After this defeat, all eyes are now on the Paris and the trip there this Sunday. With its high media profile, strong symbolic value and its huge audience, the match is shaping up as the perfect chance to live up to OM’s standards.