De Zerbi’s perfect plan as OM beat Lens 3-1, Thauvin’s return falls flat | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi’s bold selection delivered as OM beat Lens 3-1 in Ligue 1’s 19th round, with Florian Thauvin subdued on his Vélodrome return. According to L'Équipe, De Zerbi benched Mason Greenwood and started Timber and Nwaneri.

Amine Gouiri struck inside three minutes, finishing after Medina released Paixao on the left. Nwaneri doubled the lead on 13 minutes with a curling left-footer, teed up by Höjbjerg.

Lens spurned chances, Édouard on 28 minutes after a Balerdi-Aguerd lapse, then Thomasson seconds after the restart, while Rulli had a quiet night.

Greenwood arrived on 58 minutes as Weah lifted the tempo. On 74 minutes Timber, Aguerd and H.J. Traoré were replaced by Matt O'Riley, Benjamin Pavard and Darryl Bakola.

Gouiri tapped in on 75 minutes at the end of a flowing move, Paixao protected the ball in the build-up, Weah supplied the cross, with Greenwood involved.

Fofana pulled one back on 85 minutes after Bakola lost possession, Balerdi and Rulli could not prevent it.

Timber impressed with aggression on debut before departing, and Aguerd, back from the CAN, handled Édouard well. Gouiri, preferred to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scored twice before leaving on 80 minutes. Medina contained Thauvin and began the move for the opener, while De Zerbi edged his tactical duel with Sage.

Source: L'Équipe