OM had everything, Friday, August 18 in the evening in Metz, to bounce back after their cruel elimination three days earlier by the Greeks of Panathinaikos in the 3rd round of qualifying for the Champions League: a goal lead, thanks to the Young Emran Soglo (18) quickly opened the score, and the numerical advantage after Messin Ababacar Lô was sent off in the 59th minute.
But this OM, Marcelinho version – the Spanish coach who arrived on the bench in the off-season – is decidedly fragile in this month of August and it is finally with new regrets and the point of the draw that he leaves Lorraine on behalf of the 2nd day of Ligue 1.
Everything had started well for Marseille, however, launched in this match by his “kid” Emre Soglo. After a cross, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his recovery but the ball miraculously returned to the feet of the player who left the training center, who deceived the Messin goalkeeper, Alexandre Oukidja, uninspired (14th) with a shot at the near post. At 18 years and 38 days, Soglo became the second-youngest goalscorer in club history in the French league, behind Samir Nasri in 2005 (17 years and 199 days), according to statistician Opta.
VAR cancels two Marseille goals
Then OM got a considerable amount of clear chances, but failed to convert the one that would have allowed them to make the break. One player illustrated this clumsiness very well: summer recruit Ismaïla Sarr. He first stumbled on the post after a nice control-strike sequence (2nd), then on Alexandre Oukidja with his left foot (7th), before missing another attempt (37th) and inexplicably delaying hitting when he had been very well served by Aubameyang (44th).
The Marseillas managed to score a second goal, by a header from their captain Valentin Rongier (52nd)… before it was refused after consulting the VAR for a foul by Sarr at the origin of the action. Already at the end of the first half, an achievement by Aubameyang had been canceled by the VAR, for an offside this time. The specter of the match against Pana was then more and more present on the lawn.
The Messins, reduced to ten per hour of play after the red card received by their central defender Lô for a sole on the ankle of Iliman Ndiaye, showed good opportunism: a deflected strike from Cheikh Sabaly deceived Pau Lopez, powerless (65th), then Georges Mikautadze, top scorer last season in Ligue 2, took advantage of a blunder by the Marseille goalkeeper to score with a volley (71st) and allow the promoted Lorraine to turn in head.
“Rarely seen so much bad luck”
Very fit at the start of the season, the Marseillais Vitinha, who came into play in the 75th minute, equalized in the 82nd minute with a low shot at the near post. This allows OM to avoid a defeat which would have caused disorder. After two league matches, Marcelino’s players still temporarily take the lead in Ligue 1, on the strength of their opening victory against Reims (2-1) which wards off the crisis that was beginning to dawn in Marseille.
“I have rarely seen so much bad luck, the fate is a bit harsh on the team,” breathed the OM coach after the meeting. “I trust the players. We will rectify this situation, “he added, pointing to the” 22 shots, including five on target “of his players.
Taken aback in their preparation, and immediately suffocated by the schedule (four matches in ten days), Marcelino’s players will have a little more time to recover. But they must not delay any longer.
For its part, FC Metz, corrected by Rennes (5-1) at the start of the season, scored its first point since its return to the top flight after a very courageous match. “We took a test for motivation, aggression. We have increased our level compared to Rennes, welcomed his coach Laszlo Bölöni. If I remain realistic and courteous, I say that Marseille dominated. But whatever, football is 90 minutes and you can get a bitter feeling.”
