Now it’s certain, OM is doing better. Qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League after their 3-1 success against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening, the Marseillais won clearly (4-1) this Sunday against Montpellier, at the conclusion of the 23rd day of Ligue 1. Aggressive in the pressing, pleasant in the game and realistic in front of the goal, the Phocaeans confirmed their return to form, having not won in the league since December 17.
A jet OM
However, like against Shakhtar, OM got off to a very bad start. Strengthened by the returns of Jordan Veretout and Iliman Ndiaye, Jean-Louis Gasset had nevertheless chosen continuity by aligning the same ultra-offensive 3-5-2 as against the Ukrainians, like the tenure of ‘Ismaïla Sarr on the right flank in place of Jonathan Clauss. But a ball from Samuel Gigot, completely missed by his clearance, allowed Mousa Al-Taamari to close Pau Lopez closely (0-1, 4th). The Héraultais even came close to hitting the nail on the head when Jordan Ferri fired a powerful shot from the right at the edge of the area, crashing into the post before bouncing off the back of the Olympian goalkeeper and going out corner (12th)…
But like against Shakhtar, OM came back strong. In reaction, the residents of the Stade Vélodrome equalized thanks to a Ndiaye much more comfortable in the axis than on the right wing. Well placed to take advantage of a ball poorly returned by the Montpellier defense on a corner, the Senegalese international eliminated Falaye Sacko with a subtle hook in the area before finishing strongly under the bar of Benjamin Lecomte (1-1 , 31st).
Aubameyang still decisive
Carried forward, the Olympians missed the opportunity to take the advantage several times, first by Geoffrey Kondogbia (35th) then by Amine Harit (39th), both close to grabbing the frame with powerful shots outside the surface. It was finally Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, already a scorer this Thursday, who converted OM’s domination into a goal by taking advantage of an offering from Chancel Mbemba in the area (2-1, 43rd). At the origin of the achievement, Ismaïla Sarr first struggled defensively in a role of right piston new for him, then finally impacting with his speed in the opposing camp, a true symbol of this two-faced OM.
Much more in control during the second act, the Phocaeans made their task easier thanks to their first two scorers. Launched from deep, Ndiaye was brought down in the area by a Kiki Kouyaté who was overtaken on the run, allowing Aubameyang to score his 18th goal of the season in all competitions on a penalty (3-1, 62nd). Sometimes criticized, OM’s summer reinforcement is now involved in 48% of his team’s goals. The locals then controlled the tempo at the end of the match against the feverish and unhappy Montpellier residents, like Falaye Sacko, who could only deflect the leather poorly cleared by Lecomte into his own net after a cross from Sarr (4-1, 82nd).
All calm and serene on his bench, Jean-Louis Gasset therefore concluded a perfect first week on the Marseille bench to extinguish the blaze left by Gennaro Gattuso. Now 9th, five points from the top 5, the Olympians are finally having fun again on the pitch. And can see better days.