It was supposed to be a party. And then fate decided otherwise. Weighed down by an unlucky goal and failing frames, the Marseillais lost for their second C1 match, against Frankfurt, in a boiling Vélodrome. But who deserved better.
By Adrien Hémard-Dohain, at the Velodrome
Modified
Olympique de Marseille 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt 
Goal: Lindstrom (43e)
The Mistral filmed in Marseille. After a historic start to the season, OM approached the reception of Eintracht Frankfurt with confidence. Maybe a little too much. Beaten by the Eagles on a scratch from Lindström, the Marseillais never knew how to raise their heads in a match where we rarely saw their true face. Between technical clumsiness, lost duels and impatience, Igor Tudor’s men scuttled themselves against a more successful opponent, serene, but far from brilliant. Solid defensively, Eintracht Frankfurt brought down the Velodrome. After two days, OM are the only last in group D.
Kolo Muani in all the right moves
Was the pressure too great for Igor Tudor’s men? In a white-hot Velodrome, especially after the incidents between the German parking lot and the north bend, the atmosphere was in any case electric. What inhibit the Olympians? Their shoulders seemed heavy in any case, unlike those of an Eintracht Frankfurt which entered the game on one level, quickly pushing OM to their limits. Kings of duels since the start of the season, the Marseillais have found a respondent. Jostled, they then failed technically on several occasions, which destroyed a good number of opportunities in the first period. Alexis Sánchez was familiar with the opener several times (12e18e38e), while Payet could also have freed the Vélodrome on a blocked shot (32e). But the Olympian attackers did not have the fire in their legs that Randal Kolo Muani had. The former Nantes player hurt on each ball touched and, with a little conviction, could even have opened the scoring with a long shot after a solitary feat (25e). Failing that, he caused Veretout’s error. On a seemingly innocuous cross following a loss of ball from Bailly, the Marseillais missed his intervention and offered an unexpected pass to Lindström, alone in the area, to whom it was enough (1-0, 43e).
Sánchez, Gerson and Payet, losing trio
Undermined by an attacking trio next to their crampons, OM returned from the locker room with their heads in the bucket. And it was Eintracht who almost doubled the bet, before Igor Tudor reacted. The Croatian did not hesitate to take out Sánchez, Payet and Gerson, each more disappointing than the other, to give ideas to his people. A profitable choice, since the entries of Harit, Ünder and Suárez immediately reinvigorated OM. Clauss stumbled twice on Trapp (60e66e), before Suárez eats the sheet alone at the penalty spot (70e). Pau Lopez then saved OM twice (75e80e), before it was the VAR which canceled a goal from Kamada on a counter flash (79e). A fictitious pawn which has also triggered umpteenth incidents between the German parking lot and the north bend, despite the calls for calm from the two French and German speakers. While calm returned with difficulty in the stands, OM pushed on the lawn. Jordan Veretout was trying from afar (88e), while six minutes of additional time were announced. But it took more tonight for OM, who lacked everything, and who could have played all night without finding the flaw. Last in their group after two days, the Phocaeans will have to react during the double confrontation against Sporting, Tottenham scorer, and leader of the group. A brutal return to earth for OM. 
Olympique de Marseille (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez-Bailly (Guendouzi, 65e), Balerdi, Leg – Tavares, Veretout, Rongier, Clauss – Gerson (Harit, 59e), Payet(Under, 59e) – Sanchez (Luis Suarez, 59e). Coach : Igor Tudor.
Eintracht Frankfurt (3-4-3): Trapp – Nicka, Hasebe, Tuta – Knauff, Kamada (Dina Hebimbe, 88e), Sow, Jakic – Götze (Rode, 71e), Lindström, Kolo Muani (Alario, 88e). Coach : Oliver Glasner.
By Adrien Hémard-Dohain, at the Velodrome