OM sees Europe moving away. This Wednesday evening, the Marseillais lost on the pitch of Reims (1-0), in a late match counting for the 32nd day of Ligue 1. At the Auguste-Delaune stadium, it was Chancel Mbemba who scored against his camp (33rd). In the French championship standings, OM remains eighth, three points behind Lens and Lyon, but no longer has its destiny in its hands at all, hoping to compete in a continental competition next season. The Rémois, for their part, gained one place and found themselves tenth.
It didn’t take long for OM to already find themselves under pressure. The Marseillais experienced a first alert in the 5th minute of play. Taking advantage of the opposing defensive generosity, Marshall Munetsi, after a delivery from Oumar Diakité, infiltrated the penalty area, before, eccentric to the right, scoring ‘a cross strike with the right foot. However, the VAR did not take long before canceling this goal, for an offside by Diakité.
Aubameyang, diminished, did not weigh
Aubameyang pressing Diouf
Credit: Imago
Just after the half-hour mark, Munetsi threw himself in front of the goal, following a one-touch cross from Junya Ito, but it was Chancel Mbemba who pushed the ball into his own goal (33rd, 1 -0). The Rémois, more realistic, played every shot to the fullest. Ito, after a real festival (16th) or even Reda Khadra, with a low strike (48th) heated up Pau Lopez’s gloves. The Marseille goalkeeper was also very happy to see the recovery of Keito Nakamura’s right foot, from the left side, hit his opposite post (38th).
Having been ill for a few days and therefore weakened, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to be decisive, even though he remained on the pitch until the final whistle. At half-time, Jean-Louis Gasset changed his system, dropping his 5-3-2 to switch to 4-3-3. The Marseille coach brought in a majority of offensive players, but his charges never managed to find the solution. However, it’s not for lack of trying.
OM no longer has its destiny in its hands
Ismaila Sarr took advantage of an error from Yunis Abdelhamid to appear alone against Yehvann Diouf, and attempt a dive ball, but it was the opposing goalkeeper who won their duel (25th). OM monopolized the ball (62% possession), but clear chances were rare and the lack of precision was more than glaring. Just after the start of the second period, Pape Gueye, with a shot from 25 meters, also challenged the opposing goalkeeper (46th). Diouf had decided to prove impassable, with even a last very big intervention, with his leg, in front of Luis Henrique, one on one (70th).
Yehvann Diouf leaves with a clean sheet, unlike OM. Moreover, Marseille have not signed any in their last 20 Ligue 1 away matches, their longest such streak since 1976-1977 (21). Before this late match, OM, whose away victory counter this season remains stuck at two, had its destiny in its hands in the hope of returning to Europe next year. If there is still one match left to play, Sunday at 9 p.m. on the Le Havre pitch, the Marseille club is now no longer sure of anything.