Ligue 1 (12th day): 3rd defeat in a row for OM, beaten at the Vélodrome by Lens (0-1)

OM marked time and Lens took advantage. The Sang et Or went to win at the Vélodrome on Saturday during the shock of the 12th day of Ligue 1 (0-1). The Phocaeans seriously shook the visitors but they resisted before finding the fault at the end of the match by David Pereira da Costa (78th). Franck Haise’s players take 2nd place in the standings and push the Marseillais four lengths behind. Above all, the players of Igor Tudor suffer a third defeat in a row in the league after that in front of Ajaccio (1-2) and at PSG (1-0) and show certain limits.

Determined to react against a competitor for the podium, the Olympians immediately pressed loud and clear. If Nuno Tavares made his power speak to project himself several times into the Lens area, Sead Kolasinac however distinguished himself otherwise. The Bosnian was quickly warned for a foul on Seko Fofana (14th) then wiped his crampons on the ankle of Florian Sotoca, but the referee Mr. Benoît Millot did not dare to be too hard (16th). Tudor did not hesitate and replaced his player with Pape Gueye, who responded in defense (22nd).

Regrets for OM

Jostled, the Lensois had still managed to place a few counterattacks in the first quarter of an hour. This was not the case afterwards because they were completely asphyxiated. Unleashed and very biting, the Marseillais clearly lacked realism in the first period. Jordan Veretout did not frame his beautiful volley by lying down at the penalty spot (26th).

Amine Harit combined nicely with Alexis Sanchez then saw Brice Samba repel his shot (30th). The Chilean was overtaken in extremis by the opposing defenders at six meters (40th), then lost an unacademic duel against the reactive Samba, former OM goalkeeper (44th). Jonathan Clauss, for his part, certainly saw himself already scoring against his ex-teammates but his recovery from the right only flirted with the target (45th).

Lens finishes strong

After the break, the Lensois, visibly remobilized by their coach, reacted and regained the upper hand in the rough battle of the midfield. Haise launched Da Costa and Wesley Saïd in place of the disappointing Loïs Openda and Jean Onana who had been warned (57th). The Artésiens were able to respond athletically and both teams went blow for blow in a very intense game. Chancel Mbemba requested Samba (63rd) but Fofana also gave work to Paul Lopez (67th).

Seeing his men weaken in attack, Tudor launched Dimitri Payet, Bamba Dieng and Cengiz Ünder with one shot (76th). The idea seemed to make sense but didn’t pay off. Because it was Lens who unlocked the score on an axial percussion from Pereira da Costa whose powerful shot from 25 meters was deflected by Leonardo Balerdi before lobbing Lopez (0-1, 79th). The Portuguese international Espoirs opened his counter this season and RC Lens was able to afford a 3rd victory in a row at the Vélodrome. The Marseillais lack efficiency and physical resources lately. They will however have to find some from the middle of next week against Eintracht Frankfurt in a crucial Champions League match.