Marseille caresses the Champions

In a very close, pragmatic game with hardly any chances, Olympique de Marseille struck an almost definitive blow for second place in Ligue 1. Sampaoli’s men beat Reims by the minimum in a match marked by a lack of chances and depth by both teams. Gerson decided with a beautifully crafted action in the final stretch, gradually justifying the 25 million that the Marseille team paid out for his services.

The meeting started at the Auguste Delaune like a chloroform for the spectator. Neither Reims nor Marseille took risks and, although Sampaoli’s men had a great opportunity with a shot from Milik from mid-range that forced Rajkovic to intervene, they did not shoot on goal again in the entire first half, unable to dismantle the great defensive work of Oscar Garcia.

The Catalan coach, through a 5-4-1 low block in individual markings, despaired Marseille and even had two opportunities to have gone with an advantage on the scoreboard to the locker room tunnel. Matusiwa did not quite believe in a counterattack that was only against Mandanda and sent his left shot into the goalkeeper’s hands. And, Van Bergen, Remois striker, almost surprised Mandanda in a goalkeeper error that Luan Peres took on the goal line.

In the second half, the game continued at a parsimonious pace and with the feeling that the match was going to be decided by the smallest detail. Reims grew little by little as the minutes went by and had Konan’s boots the clearest opportunity for the locals, but Mandanda avoided the 1-0 with a great save with his feet. Sampaoli, who had brought in Gerson and Payet to react, still did not give the key, although the changes finally proved him right.

Just when the game was headed for a goalless draw, Marseille managed to get ahead on the scoreboard in a great action precisely spun by Payet and Gerson. The Brazilian, who had a difficult adaptation to French football due to the difference in rhythm with South America, has become a fundamental pillar for Sampaoli, taking advantage of a pass from Payet to culminate the play with a brilliant technical action that materialized with his right leg. It was one of the few times that Marseille was able to step on the rival area. A transcendental victory to secure second place in Ligue 1 almost definitively.