Europe is moving away from OM, at least the best one, that of the Champions League: held to a draw (1-1) by Nice on Sunday after having taken the lead, the Marseillais remain 6th in the standings but are now four points off the podium.
Habib Beye and his players knew from the kick-off, this Sunday it was victory or nothing, as with the exception of Monaco (7th), all the European contenders won on the 31st matchday.
But Marseille messed up again. A bit due to lack of quality, because OM failed to finish off the Niçois (15th) who will at worst finish in the relegation playoff spot. A bit due to bad luck as well, because it was on a penalty awarded in the very last minutes that the Azuréens equalized.
It was conceded by the unfortunate Tadjidine Mmadi, who stepped on Jonathan Clauss’ foot just on the edge of the penalty area, when all danger had been cleared.
The penalty was converted with an audacious panenka by Elye Wahi (88th): Clauss at the start and Wahi at the end, OM drank the cup to the dregs with this stroke of fate orchestrated by two former housemates.
Wahi had only made a fleeting appearance at the start of last season before being sent to Frankfurt on a failed note, and a year later, Clauss was targeted by the football director Medhi Benatia for insufficient investment.
– Tense atmosphere –
Concluded by the whistles at the Velodrome, this new unsuccessful evening places OM in an extremely precarious position. With three matchdays remaining, Lyon (3rd) and Lille (4th) are now four points ahead and probably out of reach. And the fifth place, which leads to the Europa League, is occupied by Rennes, who have three points more.
After the dismal defeat last Saturday in Lorient and Benatia’s cold anger, the Marseille week had already been eventful, commented on by all and marked by first a strict, then eventually relaxed training camp.
In comparison, the pre-match on Sunday was tense, as expected, but less tense than feared.
Of course, banners were displayed and players from the owner to the management, everyone got criticized. Benjamin Pavard was whistled, as were the others, and Beye even more.
Without Igor Paixao and Amine Gouiri, injured, but also without Mason Greenwood, not fit to start, the former Rennes coach had built a combat-ready 11, with five defenders, four hard-working midfielders, and only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front.
Yet, OM didn’t start too badly in their match. Until the break, the Olympians certainly posed a very relative threat but at least displayed an engagement and a more presentable attitude compared to Lorient.
– Nice close to safety –
Arthur Vermeeren (5th) and Leonardo Balerdi (27th and 37th) were dangerous with headers and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made a good incursion into Yehvann Diouf’s area (36th). On the opposite side, Nice remained withdrawn, probably reassured by the lack of presence and offensive quality from OM.
After the break, OM pushed a bit more, especially after the introductions of Greenwood and Mmadi. The Provençaux were rewarded with the opening goal, a diving header by Hojbjerg (1-0, 66th) on a good cross by Tochukwu Nnadi, a mysterious winter recruit, making his first start.
Behind, OM had a few scares, notably with a madness by Geronimo Rulli (70th), but seemed to be able to control the game. Mmadi’s clumsiness contradicted this impression and plunged Marseille even deeper into crisis.
The complicated aftermath will unfold in matches away to Nantes and Le Havre, before a final home match against Rennes. For Nice, safety is very close and there is still a Coupe de France final to dream of Europe.
stt/chd
