Panathinaikos – OM – LIVE: a defeat in the luggage of Marseille, the summary of the match

22:30 – Marseille in the Greek trap, the summary of the match

We know how complex starting a season is, even more so at Olympique de Marseille where the pressure is particular and where the workforce has been turned upside down by half. Doing it in the warm atmosphere of the lair of Panathinaikos, without the support of its supporters, was an additional problem and the Marseillais did not know how to solve it. Worse, they confirmed that we can’t expect a miracle after having revolutionized everything, especially against a team on the rhythm.

It took a virtuoso sequence for Marseille’s fragile defensive balance to shatter. An acceleration triggered by Bernard, who relies in the axis on Kleinheisler. The Hungarian’s one-touch throw-in eliminates Balerdi, then is extended by Ioannidis into the area to find the Brazilian. From the flat of the right foot at close range, he left Pau Lopez no chance and ignited the 16,000 supporters of the Apostolos-Nikolaidis stadium, rewarded with their incessant chants.

An outcome that was beyond doubt as the pressure grew in a second period when OM lost the thread. Ounahi’s blocked shot and the firecracker above Clauss on the way back from the locker room were only an illusion. Behind, Panathinaikos resumed the course of their domination and increased the pace to corner their opponent and make them crack, like Kondogbia, sent off shortly after the hour mark for a second yellow card.

The former Atletico de Madrid will have been one of the symbols of this failed match for the Marseillais. Warned from the first minute, he will not have been able to bring the expected physical impact which would have done so much good against the Greek intensity and will therefore have precipitated the fate of his people in this match. Beyond his performance, it is that of the entire Marseille collective which is to be pointed out since the new offensive line did not shine either. Aubameyang wandered without ever managing to get rid of Jedvaj and Magnusson, with the exception of an action in the first period when the former Stéphanois did not improve with a header a center which was nevertheless perfect from Lodi. Sarr made no difference, when Ndiaye gave the impression of getting annoyed, at failing to combine with his partners.

In an evening where everything went wrong, Marcelino showed little more than his players and failed to find the tactical solutions to hope for better, cowering at the end of the match to avoid sinking. Indeed, the last quarter of an hour saw OM barricade themselves in their last 25 meters, suffering the Athenian waves, fortunately not very dangerous.

Marseille’s luck lies in the fact that this meeting was only the first of a double confrontation, which offers them the possibility of catching up. In six days, the stake will already be crucial since an elimination from the third preliminary round would deprive the club of the Champions League and French football of important points. An inconceivable outcome for a club with strong ambitions and hoping for a boost. His other chance is that this second round will take place at the Vélodrome, with the support of the people of Marseille. Enough to reverse the trend and finally launch its season.

21:55 – Marseille loses in Greece (0-1)

After a complicated match, Olympique de Marseille tripped over the Greek carpet (0-1). Taken in intensity then reduced to ten after the expulsion of Kondogbia, the Marseillais ended up giving in at the end of the second period on a clear action initiated and concluded by Bernard. Unable to revolt or be dangerous, Gigot and his gang missed their first game of the season and will have to pull themselves together in six days at the Vélodrome to hope to overthrow a Panathinaikos, serious and full of desire.

9:42 p.m. – Bernard pierces OM (1-0)

Eight minutes from the end of the match, Marseille conceded the first goal of the match. Taking the ball to the right and picking up the tempo. The Brazilian serves Kleinheisler who stung in one touch towards the surface. Ioannidis extends from the right in the axis for Bernard who continued his effort. The former Chakhtar then deceives Pau Lopez at close range from inside the right.

21:23 – Kodogbia sees red!

Kondogbia will not finish his first official match with Olympique de Marseille. Warned from the first minute, the Marseille midfielder harvested a second logical yellow, synonymous with a red card, after a sole on Djuricic. OM will play 10 against 11 for the last 25 minutes.