Ligue 1, 26th day – OM frustrated by Troyes (1-1) despite a goal from Dimitri Payet

Marseille disappoints again. A week after a disappointment at the Vélodrome against Clermont (0-2), OM had the opportunity to relaunch this Sunday with a trip to a poorly ranked. But the Marseillais, borrowed in the game, were joined at the very end of the match and lost two points on the lawn of Troyes (1-1). Jorge Sampaoli’s men still regained 2nd place, one point ahead of Nice. Thanks to this equalization, ESTAC went from 20th to 17th place.

The sad Marseille performance should not silence the recurring criticism of the game played by the proteges of Jorge Sampaoli, who was a little less restless than usual on the edge of the field. Estac, which was courageous but sometimes clumsy, grabbed a point which allows it to stay outside the relegation zone (17th). The Aubois are ahead of the last three, Metz, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux only on goal difference. The trip to the Girondins lawn next weekend promises to be decisive.

Payet had yet found his way to the goal in L1

However, OM seemed on track to confirm their status as the best away team this season in Ligue 1 (26 points taken out of 36 possible before this meeting). Without being particularly dangerous, he quickly controlled the debates and stung on his first opportunity. Mowed down by a largely avoidable tackle from Baldé, Guendouzi was awarded a penalty. Payet was responsible for transforming it to score his 9th goal of the season in Ligue 1, a record with Marseille equaled (0-1, 28th). Without Milik, who only came on for the last quarter of an hour, the Olympians stopped playing in the second half just to control the proceedings.

Troyes started to believe in it and the changes made by Bruno Irles made the difference. Substitutes at kick-off, Koné, with a perfect center in the six meters, and Touzghar, with a furious tackle, allowed the promoted to obtain a finally deserved point (1-1, 90th). The equalization of Touzghar, while Troyes was virtually a red lantern, should calm the ultra supporters a little, who unfurled several hostile banners towards coach Bruno Irles and demanded his resignation. OM, for their part, have paid for their excessive management of events and could greatly regret it at the end of the season if two points are missing in the race for the Champions League.

With AFP

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