PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 3-2 Lyon: Aubameyang brace fires Les Phocéens to vital Olympico win | OneFootball

Marseille ran-out 3-2 winners in yet another dramatic Olympic clash at the Stade Vélodrome after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s injury-time effort aided by Ethan Nwaneri’s cross. Lyon raced into the lead early on through Tolisso before a piledriver from Paixao equalised for the hosts. Himbert put OL back in front before Aubameyang’s late equaliser and dramatic winner in the 91st minute to put OM within two points of Lyon in the race for direct Champions league qualification.THE MATCH

The Olimpico is a heated and often chaotic exchange at the best of times, but Sunday night’s edition was earmarked as one of the most decisive encounters in recent Choc des Olympiques history. A place for Europe, and direct qualification to the Champions League was nearing the last-chance status for Marseille, whose season is still poised on a knife edge following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi. Lyon, on the other hand, had undergone a 13-match straight winning streak, only losing it to a strong Strasbourg side last weekend. The contrast, tension, and urgency couldn’t be any clearer for both sides at the Vélodrome.It was Les Gones that struck first, handed on a plate by the hosts when Emerson Palmieri’s attempted passing attempt out the back was pressed by Endrick and the ball fell on the edge of the box to Tolisso. The Frenchman had the time and space to pick his spot and place the ball into the back of the net (2′). Just two minutes in, and Habib Beye would be looking once again at his back four and asking questions.It should have potentially been two just minutes later, when an unsettled Rulli flapped at a headed attempt from Yaremchuk before Noah Nartey’s overhead kick which was saved by Rulli this time. Les Phocéens grabbed the next chance in an open ten minutes, with Weah’s pull-back from the right side of the box met first time by Mason Greenwood – yet Dominic Greif was equal to it with a fine save. Aubameyang almost made the most of an error from Niakhaté and Mata but his strike couldn’t test Grief before Greenwood forced the Slovak into another save.

There was a feisty edge throughout the whole of the opening exchanges, and it petered with plenty of fouls from either side – but referee Jêrome Brisard was fair in his judgements in the opening phases.The game settled down, Endrick popping up with several chances including a sumptuous run past four Marseille defenders before his chipped effort floated way over the crossbar. Habib Beye made the first change at the interval as Quinten Timbe came off and was replaced by Igor Paixao. Les Phocéens then started the second period with intensity, carving out two early half-chances via Greenwood and Højbjerg. But it would be the newly introduced Paixao who made an instant impact, running directly with the ball and hitting a piledriver from the edge of the box which arrows into the back of the net (51′). The Velodrome apprehension turned into a roar, and their Ligue 1 season looked back on. 

OM looked to pounce on the transition and it saw Greenwood lead another attack which saw a lively Paixao played in-behind, but his low cross was well cut out by Niakhaté. Endrick then spurned a one-on-one chance on goal with another chip, this time saved by Rulli easily as the Brazilian was starting to tire. But just as Marseille were starting to believe, Rémi Himbert would provide the killer blow on the break, turning Balerdi inside-out before slotting past Rulli. OM’s players hunkered over, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the hosts something to believe in when he poked home after Paixao’s looped cross. This fixture always provides the drama and injury time goals, just as the board went up for six minutes additional time it was Paixao who drove down the right side and slotted through Nwaneri into the left side of the box. On the stretch, the Englishman provided the ball across for Aubameyang to slot home (90+1′). The Vélodrome burst into joy, pyros let-off, smoke bombs, bouncing supporters. Les Phocéens are right back into the Champions League picture just two points off Lyon for that third place.OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS

Geronimo Rulli – 6

There was nothing the Argentine could really do in the second minute when Tolisso had all the time in the world to place his strike into the back of the net. Yet Rulli looked perturbed and flapped at Yaremchuck’s attempt to reach the ball, before being forced into a good save from an acrobatic effort. He made a huge save from the Ukrainian just before the end of the first half with his wrist.

Timothy Weah – 5

The American has been one of the best signings of the summer and put another solid performance for Les Olympiens on that right side. Bursting with energy and runs, he combined well with Greenwood but it was a lopsided attacking option at times, with the US international being one of the only real out-balls. He nonetheless impressed and had a good tussle with Tagliafico.

Leonardo Balerdi – 5

The Argentine was stripped of the captain’s armband, and yes, there was a huge question mark over OM’s collective positioning for a goal conceded in the second minute. But it seemed Balerdi responded reasonably well to the setback and was at least competitive in the challenge, winning headers against Yaremchuk.

Nayef Aguerd- 4The Moroccan committed several hospital passes to Emerson, including for Lyon’s opener; earned a late booking which could have come a lot earlier.

Emerson Palmieri – 3

One of the weaker performances for the Italian in a Marseille shirt, whose pass was cut out to hand Lyon the lead early on. At times his decision making was erratic, and he looked uncomfortable on the ball after his initial error. His set-piece delivery was also poor.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5

The Dane was handed the captain’s armband by Habib Beye this evening, and his performance was improved after a difficult evening in Brest last weekend. 

Geoffrey Kondogbia – 5

Quentin Timber – 4

Hamad Junior Traoré – 4The Ivorian was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri who set up Aubameyang’s winner.

Mason Greenwood – 5

The Englishman was looking to carry OM at times during the first period, being played by Beye with a lot of freedom – but perhaps not served to his best characteristics by his teammates. His runs were incisive, dribbles and shots tested Greif in the first period, and he kept up that intensity in the second half. Off the ball he did enough, even if he wasn’t asked to defend much from the front.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7The Gabon international had plenty of chances, and got into some great positions to get OM back on level terms – but the small margins just looked to get away from him in the first period. He kept plugging away in the second period and grabbed an important equaliser when Marseille thought that all was lost with a poked finish. He then popped up just at the right place and time to turn home Nwaneri’s pin-balled cross for OM’s dramatic winner.Igor Paixao – 7 

The Brazilian came on at half-time and made an instant impact for Les Phocéens with his direct attacking play, and his run and pile-driver of an effort from the edge of the box was so vital for OM to get back on level terms. The Brazilian then provided the looped cross for Aubameyang to equalise late on, before playing a key role in the former Arsenal man’s winner. OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS PLAYER RATINGS Dominik Greif – 6 Some good saves from Greenwood, and was generally very assured. Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 4 pressed well in lead up to first goal but otherwise didn’t impress defensively or offensively; winning goal came from his flank. Clinton Mata – 4 A chaotic performance, he could have closed down Paixao for Marseille’s first, let Aubameyang go for Marseille’s second.Moussa Niakhaté – 6 Nicolas Tagliafico – 5 Displayed his standard levek of ‘grinta’ and had a good tussle with Weah throughout.

Tanner Tessman – 4 Aas long as he keeps things VERY simple he is fine. But anything above that and he struggles. Miskicked when clean through on goal. Tyler Morton – 5Noah Nartey – 5 Often found nice pockets of space but then made poor decisions with the ball.Corentin Tolisso – 6 The Frenchman scored one goal, and was an offside toenail away from another, played a brilliant through-ball for Endrick, took part in Lyon’s second goal and good, vocal leadership throughout. Endrick – 6 Everything good for Lyon went through him and he could have had more than the two assists he notched. But also ended some attacks through selfishness or trying to be too clever. Lost possession in lead-up to Marseille’s winner.Roman Yaremchuk – 5 A bright first start, tireless running, but shot when Endrick was unmarked late in first half. Replaced by Himbert who scored with a calmly taken finish. GFFN | George Boxall & Jeremy Smith – Reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.