A goal that fell from the sky at the last second and is very expensive. Still just as tough on the outside, Olympique de Marseille went on to beat Lyon 2-1 on Sunday April 23, somewhat by miracle. There was a draw, but OM finally left Lyon with three points, a first since 2007, because OL scuttled in the final moments.
At the end of additional time, on a cross from Issa Kaboré without particular danger, the entire Lyon rearguard indeed panicked, from Johann Lepenant to Sinaly Diomandé, who cleared the ball anyhow on Malo Gusto, scorer against his side (2-1, 90 2). With this unexpected success, OM therefore regain second place in the standings, one point ahead of Lens, who they will visit in a fortnight for a fiery final for the Champions League.
Olympique Lyonnais for its part could have taken advantage of the defeat of Rennes (6th) and the draw of Lille (5th) to give meaning to its end of the season, but it failed and remains stuck in 7th place, six lengths from Losc and Europe. Marseille’s three points reward a team that remains on nine wins and two draws away from the Vélodrome, which denotes real know-how. But as so often in recent weeks, Igor Tudor’s team did not shine much.
After a tribute to Paul Bocuse quite offbeat in these places, the 22 players first offered a show very far from being starred in the first period, at best tasteless, at worst totally indigestible. Without any bite, unable to get the ball out of the back and touch their rare attacking players, OM thus delivered a first quarter of an hour of sometimes overwhelming technical sadness, which allowed Lyon to take control. Game.
But OL did not do much, with the only notable action being a recovery over Alexandre Lacazette on a good cross from Nicolas Tagliafico (29th). Apart from two confused actions around the half-hour, OM did not do more, but they had the merit of regaining control of the match a little as the break approached. It shouldn’t have been enough, but the Lyonnais then gave them a first gift.
The goal of Cengiz Under (1-0, 44th) was thus scored after a series of bad choices, each more inexplicable than the other on the Lyon side, from the horrible pass from Diomandé on a free kick in his favor, to the non-exit of Anthony Lopes through the zigzag alignment of the Lyon defense.
Once in front, OM were better after the break and pressed much higher and much harder, hurting the overwhelmed Lyonnais on impact. Twice, the Provençals should have even closed the deal, first when Jonathan Clauss devoured a golden opportunity by being too altruistic (60th), then when Under stumbled on Lopes, decisive on the spot (60th) .
The Lyon goalkeeper was again once again by superbly slamming a new attempt from Clauss (76th) on his bar, but his team had then come back up to par. On a fleeing center from Corentin Tolisso that no Marseille defender could touch, Lacazette had indeed arisen in front of Jordan Veretout to score his 20th goal of the season in L1 (1-1, 68th).
At the very end of the match, the ghost Gusto could even have given victory to OL (86th), before tipping the decision the other way. It’s cruel, but of the two Olympics, it’s that of Marseille that retains the right to dream of Europe, and of the big one.
