1st Team

Lyon 2-0 OM: Olympique falls to Lyon

Posted by
Frédéric Rostain
On Sunday 17 December 2017 at 11:50

A return to the usual team for Rudi Garcia. At Lyon, he played the same team as he did against Paris, except for a single change, whereby the on-form Germain replaced Mitroglou in attack. In a superb atmosphere, marking the 30th anniversary of the foundation of the Bad Gones group of Lyon supporters, it immediately became apparent as the match kicked off that this would be a highly tactical encounter. The two teams played in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a dense group of players in midfield on each side. The Lyonnais won a free kick from Zambo Anguissa's shoulder. Fékir took care of it. Mandanda was in the ball's trajectory, but the Marseilles keeper fumbled the ball, letting it escape into his own net. Olympique Lyonnais had scored their first goal. It would also be the only goal of the first half.
 Olympique Marseille was not disheartened and increased the pace. The players took the game into their own hands and had the majority of possession. Nevertheless, their set pieces revealed them at their most dangerous. Following a corner taken by Payvet, Rami's header forced Lopes to make a reflexive save by hand. The Olympique playmaker then found Rolando in a corner. The defender's head missed it from above. Meanwhile, Mariano deflected the ball from its trajectory, but Mandanda saved the shot. He responded very quickly and Ocampos' follow-up shot was also saved.
Rudi Garcia's men were both enterprising and mobile, producing a great period of play with some fantastic sequences - but never finding a weak spot in their opposition. During the same period of action, Ocampos and Germain's attempts were repelled by Lopes, followed by Morel. The Marseilles side returned to the changing room with little reward for their domination and their efforts.

The Lyonnais team was completely transformed in the second half. More aggressive, and winning more ground, they instantly made their way to Mandanda'sgoals. Mariano found the back of the net, but the goal was rejected due to an offside position. However, in the 51st minute, Olympique doubled their leads. Mariano took his chance and Mandanda saved magnificently, but the action continued. Cornet struck the ball with the outside of his foot and with it found the head of Mariano, who catapulted the ball into the back of the net.
Rudi Garcia made his first changes as his side went 2-0 down: Mitroglou replaced Ocampos, before Lopez came onto the pitch to replace Zambo Anguissa, while Sanson replaced Germain. Facing a well-established Lyon side who had divided the pitch perfectly, particularly the final 30 metres, OM struck doggedly against the Lyonnais defence, led by the former Marseilles player, Morel. Sanson hit the bar following a powerful strike from 20 metres out. Lopes deflected another powerful shot, this time from Gustavo, in stoppage time. The home side finished the match in a dominant position with an impressively solid defence. They even allowed themselves the luxury of a counter-attack, challenging Mandanda with Cornet leading the charge. Despite some good team effort, Marseilles was not rewarded and were extend their unbeaten run in the championship to a thirteenth match.

In League 1, Olympique Marseille drops back a place for the first time since their 3-1 loss at home to Rennes in September. This was also the first time that they were unable to find the back of their opponents' net in League 1 this season. In fourth place, on 35 points, they are now three points behind second-placed Monaco and third-placed Lyon.