PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 2-2 Strasbourg: Late Panichelli penalty plunges OM further into crisis | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi has left Olympique de Marseille, but the scenario is all too familiar as Les Phocéens drop points in added time after a late Strasbourg fightback and goals from Sébastien Nanasi and a penalty from Joaquin Panichelli. Amine Gouiri and Mason Greenwood put OM two goals ahead in the second period before the late collapse under interim boss Jacques Abardonado.

THE MATCH 

If it wasn’t clear that Marseille were in crisis, it would become so as kick-off approached at the Stade Vélodrome for OM’s first match since the departure of Roberto De Zerbi in the week. Both ends, where Marseille’s ultra groups usually stand loud and proud, were empty for kick-off with OM players copiously booed as they were announced. That malaise continued when the Virage Nord brandished banners reading: “Stands empty in protest. For a club self-destructing. All your projects go up in flames during these wasted years. McCourt / Longoria, get lost!” 

But it was also a major test on the pitch for Les Olympiens, who trailed behind in the race for Europe after the now-infamous 5-0 loss to PSG which saw them drop to fourth. Strasbourg had arrived after two straight wins in the league and a successful start under Gary O’Neil’s new tenure at the club.In that tenuous context, and a strange and silent atmosphere. The away side would start the better, hitting the bar via Martial Godo after a well-timed cross from Diego Moreira – Rulli was beaten (returning to the side after the loss to PSG). Mason Greenwood then sparked into life just as Marseille’s ultras had started to filter through the stands after their boycott. Amine Gouiri fed the Englishman into the box, who simply chipped Penders from close range as the Vélodrome sparked right back into life (14′). Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would drive into the Strasbourg box, as Les Alstatiens recovered the ball well but the Gabon international would slide to intervene again, as Timber played him into the box – yet Penders would get a solid hand to his strike from close range. Some fine combination play on the edge of the box saw Moreira set up Panichelli, and his strike would zip marginally over Rulli’s crossbar. 

Marseille managed to hold off Strasbourg by half-time, and would go one better shortly after coming back out for the second period. Emerson continued his run into the box to press Mike Penders, and that extra effort saw the Belgian play the ball inadvertently to the edge of the box. Gouiri was there to pounce, and then drove into the box before curling his effort into the side netting as the Vélodrome roared once again. Relief all around. But that relief could only last temporarily, as Strasbourg struck via Nanasi’s finish off the right post to get right back into the contest (70′). Just a minute later, Guela Doué’s downward header fell just wide of the post. Valentin Barco was then found on the counter, but the Argentine couldn’t get the ball to Sebastien Nanasi who made a break at the far post for what would have been an open finish. 

The final minutes were frantic, and as Højbjerg did well to clear a ball off the line and a mess of legs in the box saw Emerson recklessly kick at Yacine Gessime, and Francois Letexier pointed at the penalty spot. Joaquin Panichelli would step up and convert the spot kick, as Rulli was unable to get a hand to it. It was simply too late for Marseille to get back on the counter attack and Letexier would blow the final whistle to boos and whistles in the home end. That will do nothing to appease the growing tensions in supporter groups in the past week.

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS 

Gerónimo Rulli – 4

Emerson Palmieri – 3

Benjamin Pavard – 4

Nayef Aguerd – 5The Moroccan’s calmness at the back was well-needed after a panic-stricken performance from Leonardo Balerdi against Paris last weekend. With Pavard in the backline, and some extra protective work from Højbjerg and Timber in front of the back line. It is just a shame that OM’s old demons came back to haunt them in injury time..

Timothy Weah – 5

Quinten Timber – 5

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 6

Bilal Nadir – 5

Amine Gouiri – 7

The Algerian made his mark once again in Ligue 1, similarly to Lens. He provided the all-important opener for Mason Greenwood in the first period, before netting himself in the second period with a curled finish after a mistake from Penders after some good pressing from Emerson. 

Mason Greenwood – 6If he hid against Paris, he would take more responsibility against Strasbourg. Pancho’s instructions for the Englishman were simple: on the ball he could free roam anywhere into space, as long as he could slot back into the left side when OM lost the ball. It’s fair to say he thrived in this position with his unpredictable streak. Greenwood would score the all-important first goal of the evening with a delicate chip over Penders after a well-timed run met by Gouiri’s pin-point ball, before menacing for the rest of the game – finding time and space to carry OM away from danger and try and pounce on the transition.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6

The Gabon international found himself on the left side in a front three on the ball, with the two wide players tucked into the midfield off the ball. He showed some great willingness to battle in the first period, pressing high, winning back the ball and carving out several chances.

RACING CLUB DE STRASBOURG PLAYER RATINGS 

Mike Penders – 5

Ben Chilwell – 5

Andrew Omobamidele – 5

Lucas Høgsberg – 5

Guela Doué – 4

Valentín Barco – 6The Argentine showed why he is so trusted by Gary O’Neil in that midfield position, and why so many admire the former Brighton & Hove Albion man in Ligue 1 this season. He picked up the ball in lots of attacking positions, and found the space to be Strasbourg’s main catalyst when working on the transition. The problem was that the end product came too little too late for Les Alsatiens. 

Samir El Mourabet – 5

Martial Godo – 5

Julio Enciso – 5

Diego Moreira – 6

The Belgian was at a high level of technical quality both on and off the ball against Marseille, his flicks and tricks, and passing ability helped Gary O’Neil’s side get themselves into some interesting attacking positions. Yet it was a shame that they couldn’t be converted into goals or big chances. 

Joaquín Panichelli – 6

It was the battle of the top scorers on Saturday afternoon, and Greenwood edged further in front in the rankings thanks to his first half-goal. The Argentine got into some interesting positions, but lacked the efficiency to hit the back of the net. But when the moment matters, he came up with the goods to convert his penalty in injury time.

GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.