The Olympians were caught behind in the final minutes from the penalty spot against Brighton (2-2), Thursday, during the second day of the Europa League.
OM is still sick. Five days after its defeat at Monaco (3-2), in Ligue 1, Marseille cruelly conceded a draw at home against Brighton (2-2), Thursday October 5, during the second day of the Europa League. The Olympians led 2-0 after twenty minutes of play before seeing the Seagulls come back, from the penalty spot, in the final minutes.
Jonathan Clauss had a strange day. Called up for the French team for the first time in more than a year, the right back made the fatal mistake. On receiving an aerial ball, he was surprised by Tariq Lamptey and cost his team a cruel penalty. Joao Pedro converted it to equalize just before added time (2-2, 88th).
The new Olympian coach Gennaro Gattuso, however, thought he would succeed in his first at the Stade Vélodrome. His team entered the game in an attractive manner, conquering against a team in full doubt with three defeats in its last four matches, including a scathing 6-1 against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Two minutes of madness
OM took the opportunity to beat their opponent in 90 seconds, watch in hand. Following a combination on the right between Angel Correa and Jonathan Clauss, defender Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring (1-0, 19th) in a center-forward position. An excess of function which was reminiscent of that advocated by Igor Tudor last year. In the process, Amine Harit took advantage of captain Lewis Dunk’s error to serve Jordan Veretout in the area (2-0, 20th). “It’s our best first half since the start of the season”estimated the Moroccan.
But the Marseillais never managed to score this third goal which would have definitively put them away. Amine Harit (35th) and especially Vitinha (66th) nevertheless had the opportunity. In vain. On the other side, Pascal Gross reduced the gap after returning from the locker room (2-1, 55th), putting pressure on the locals.
As in Monaco, on Saturday, the Phocaeans were unable to maintain their score advantage. Goalkeeper Pau Lopez, however, pushed back the deadline several times in front of Ansu Fati (42nd), Danny Welbeck (45th+1) and Kaoru Mitoma (73rd). Except that the Spaniard couldn’t do anything about the Seagulls’ penalty. OM, second in the standings after the draw between Ajax and AEK Athens, are still looking for their first success since August 26 (2-0 against Brest, in Ligue 1).