PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 1-3 Auxerre: Stade Vélodrome shocked by first-half rout | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 11, 08/11/24

Olympique de Marseille were hoping to put some distance between them and their last home result where they lost 3-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique. However, AJ Auxerre were far from obliging. The visitors were defensively resolute and clinical in attack as they left the Stade Vélodrome 3-1 winners.

The Match

Marseille would control possession in the first half recording 75% of the ball. However, they would be completely undone by sloppy errors at the back from all four of their defenders. In the tenth minute, a goal kick from Auxerre’s Donovan Léon turned into an assist as Lilian Brassier lost sight of the ball. The centre-back fell trying to clear the ball allowing Lassine Sinayoko to burst past and place his shot.

Marseille’s struggled to mount a convincing response to going behind. Each player looked frustrated and out of sync. The host’s passing game was slow and allowed Auxerre’s low block to frustrate and snuff out attacks. Marseille pushed higher up the pitch creating space in behind their defenders and that’s where Auxerre looked to operate near the end of the half.

In the 43rd minute, a sloppy pass from Leonardo Balerdi was intercepted by Gideon Mensah. The wing-back laid the ball off to Hamed Traorè who slipped his pass into Sinayoko. The forward dragged the Marseille defence off to the left-hand side of the pitch leaving Gaëtan Perrin unmarked. A simple pass to Perrin and Auxerre were up 2-0.

Things would quickly go from bad to worse two minutes later as Quentin Merlin lost possession to Perrin. The winger fired a through ball towards the other flank finding Traorè. The loanee from Bournemouth’s quick feet turned Pol Lirola and attacked the box where he created a tight angle to poke the ball past Gerónimo Rulli. For the second home game in a row, Marseille would enter the second half 3-0 down.

Roberto De Zerbi made three changes at the break as Neal Maupay, Jonathan Rowe, and Merlin all came off for Elye Wahi, Ismaël Koné, and Michael Amir Murillo. Despite the changes, Auxerre were buoyed by confidence and threatened to make it four with rapid counterattacks. However, Marseille would instead be provided a lifeline as the ball hit Clément Akpa’s hand in the box.

Mason Greenwood shot low and to the left to draw level with Bradley Barcola as Ligue 1’s top scorer with eight goals. A goal-mouth fracas followed as Léon impeded Marseille from a quick restart. Wahi would shortly after threaten to make it two as he burst past the defensive line but his shot couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.

The dream of a comeback would fade as the minutes ticked closer to the final whistle. Marseille had huffed and puffed but very rarely looked close to scoring. Auxerre had showed spirit throughout the game and came away the deserved winners.

Marseille Player Ratings

Gerónimo Rulli – 4

Quentin Merlin – 4

Lilian Brassier – 3

Lilian Brassier has struggled to adjust to life at Marseille since making the move from Stade Brestois. He was meant to be the player to partner Leonardo Balerdi in the heart of the defence but current performances do not warrant this. The centre-back looked error-prone this evening and after the first goal his every touch was whistled by the home support. He was booed off the pitch when subbed in the second-half.

Leonardo Balerdi – 4

Pol Lirola – 4

Adrien Rabiot – 5

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5

Jonathan Rowe – 4

Luis Henrique – 5

Mason Greenwood – 6

The best performer on the pitch for the hosts, however, he also looked a level below his usual standard. He largely cut a frustrated figure.

Neal Maupay – 4

Given the nod over Elye Wahi, but failed to impose himself on the game. He was taken off at half-time.

Auxerre Selected Player Ratings

Gideon Mensah – 8

Possibly the best player on the pitch. He was constantly in action and usually came off the best in his duels with Mason Greenwood and Pol Lirola. He personified the defensive spirit and grit that Auxerre showed.

Gaëtan Perrin – 8

Lassine Sinayoko – 8

GFFN | Nick Hartland