The 2023/2024 edition of the Champions League will be played without Olympique de Marseille. Despite a much more successful match than the first leg, Marcelino’s men remained at the dock. Their victory against Panathinaikos in front of a boiling Velodrome was not enough (2-1), and the Greeks scored their ticket to the play-offs after the penalty shootout, executed to perfection (3-5).
OM, who were sparkling for at least a good hour and who were able to find a second wind in the two extra times, can harbor very big regrets in view of their domination swept away by so many headwinds. It will be a first big blow to digest in this season which has just started. But the Marseillais will still play the Europa League.
Aubameyang was however in a great evening
The story was almost too good for the Marseillais, especially for one man in particular: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Transparent in Athens six days earlier, the Gabonese did not have time and made the Vélodrome exult from his first action, a perfect call on a pass from Ismaïla Sarr (1-0, 2nd).
A good way for him to remember that he was recruited for these European games, when the noose tightens. What followed was like an OM recital, as it was day and night in terms of state of mind compared to the first confrontation against Panathinaikos. Impregnable behind, untenable in front, the Phocaeans have multiplied the clear chances. But we did not know, at that moment, that they were going to regret them.
The joy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after his goal during OM – Panathinaikos, in the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League
Credit: Getty Images
A cruel scenario for OM
Especially since Aubameyang offered the break to his team just before the break, perfectly taking over an ideal center from Jonathan Clauss (2-0, 45th + 2) at the near post. The Marseillais then seemed invincible, capable of displaying the physical qualities required to stay the course. Opposite, the Greeks have long seemed harmless and logically ejected from the Champions League. But the tide ended up turning, when the Olympians’ efforts cost too much.
First there was this goal denied to Sarr for an offside position (53rd). Above all, there was this penalty awarded to the Greeks in the final moments of the match, for a hand fault by Mattéo Guendouzi who did not escape the VAR (90th + 7). The same Guendouzi who could have had a penalty a few minutes before, when he was pushed behind his back. The same Guendouzi who condemned OM by missing the first penalty in the penalty shootout.
More information to follow…