PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 0-1 Atalanta: Les Phocéens fall to controversial Samardzic winner | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League Matchday 4, 05/11/2024THE MATCH

Olympique de Marseille fell to a second straight defeat in Champions League action as a clinical Atalanta side scored via a late stunner from Lazar Samardzic despite calls for a handball at the other end of the pitch. Les Phocéens were looking to get more points on the board and hoping to bounce back from their defeat last time out against Sporting CP several weeks ago. Yet that was a different month, and a different OM in terms of numbers has to take up European competition. With Timothy Weah, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Amine Gouiri, Bilal Nadir all out of action, it was a bare bones 5-4-1 which was named by Roberto De Zerbi.

The hosts began the game timidly, and had struggled to even get on the ball. Geronimo Rulli had looked shaky in the opening minutes and gave the ball away to Ademola Lookman – he would then bring down Nikola Krstovic in the box as the Italian side had a golden opportunity to go in front at the Vélodrome. Yet, the Argentine atoned for his earlier errors with an exceptional save to his left side from Charles De Ketelaere’s spot kick. If OM were on the back foot, the Vélodrome’s roar was looking to re-energise Roberto De Zerbi’s men.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was a man looking to take his revenge after OM’s 2023 Europa League elimination, and he grabbed the first chance for Les Olympiens with a strike on the swivel to test Carnesecchi after a well-placed through-ball played by Matt O’Riley. Mason Greenwood weaved through several Atalanta defenders before serving a ball on a plate for Benjamin Pavard, but the Frenchman could only steer his shot wide of the post. Yet the Italians were always an omnipresent threat, as Krstovic blasted over the bar after a pull-back from Zappacosta. The half-time break came and went to the whistles of a demanding home crowd, and OM certainly had it all to do in the second period. Greenwood was set through on goal but was blocked well by the Italian defence, with several more chances that came through O’Riley and Højberg with blocked efforts.

But OM switched off as a ball over the top and some quick play on the second ball saw the Atalanta attack released in-behind and Ademola Lookman was on hand to slot home. Yet VAR managed to intervene and rule the goal out for offside, much to the relief of an impatient home crowd. In the folie of the ruled out goal, Robinio Vaz would be hauled on to inject some energy in the last third of the clash. But that energy would be sapped quickly after a mad final few minutes of normal time saw OM go behind in chaotic circumstances. Les Olympiens would call for a handball shout on Ederson, but the defence switched off as Atalanta pushed up the other end and Lazar Smardzic sent a superb strike from range past Rulli to give the Italians a late lead. Roberto De Zerbi and his coaching staffs’ protestations with the referee would be unanswered, as OM fell to a second straight defeat in the Champions League.

Les Phocéens will have to act quickly to get points on the board and hope to enter the play-off spots, with Newcastle, Liverpool, Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge, and Liverpool still to play.

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS

Geronimo Rulli – 5

The Argentine had a mixed start to the affair, letting one or two too many loose balls go to the opposition in the opening periods before making the challenge of Krstovic which saw Atalanta’s penalty awarded in the first period. He did, however, more than make up for it with a solid save to his left side to stop Charles De Ketelaere’s spot kick. Early in the second half Rulli was more assured, his positioning and stops were well timed – all in all making up for his errors earlier on in the match.

CJ Egan-Riley – 5

The Englishman is perhaps one of the biggest benefactors during Leonardo Balerdi’s absence, and started in the middle of a back three with Benjamin Pavard and Nayef Aguerd. He looked more assured than in his previous appearances, with a calmness that comes with being supported on each side and an improved level of communication with Rulli and the rest of his backline. Certainly not outstanding, but the Englishman is slowly improving.

Benjamin Pavard – 5

Nayef Aguerd – 5

Ulisses Garcia – 5

Michael Amir Murillo – 5

Igor Paixao – 4

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5

Matt O’Riley – 6

Roberto De Zerbi is beginning to trust Matt O’Riley a lot in an eight position in the double pivot with Pierre Emile Højbjerg. Far from spectacular, but a solid outing nonetheless from the Denmark international who had to go box to box and even play in the backline during the final quarter of the match.

Mason Greenwood – 5

The Englishman played in a free role behind Aubameyang during the first half, but found himself in all sorts of odd positions both on and off the ball. Sometimes out on the right, deep in midfield, it wasn’t quite sure what his intentions were off the ball. But this is part of Greenwood’s game, a nonchalant unpredictability which burst into life at moments with some weaving runs that troubled the Atalanta defence. Yet it meant he wasn’t best placed to do what he does best: score goals.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5GFFN | George Boxall – Reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.