Marseille again fail to leapfrog PSG

Marseille’s Olympique fans have grown used to being disappointed by their players. As a former European champion (1993) and ten-time French champion, the club from the famous port city is one of the biggest in the country. Still, the last trophy was won back in 2012, in the League Cup, and the last league title in 2010. Expectations have long since been lowered, but the stands of the Velodrome remain regularly well-filled. That was the case this week as well, as fans came to the match against Toulouse in high spirits after the recent win over Newcastle in the Champions League and Paris Saint-Germain’s defeat to Monaco earlier in the day.

Olympique had the chance to reclaim the top spot in the table with three points against a lower-table opponent. Few believed that Roberto De Zerbi’s men would fail to do so, but we love football precisely because it is unpredictable. Thus, Toulouse managed to shock everyone and take a point in Marseille — 2–2. The visitors led for a long time, from the 14th minute through a goal by Emerson, all the way until the 66th, when Paixao punished a big miss by the Brazilian, who failed to react properly after a brilliant 30-meter lob by Norway’s Aron Donnum that struck the crossbar. The equalizer pushed the home side to attack even harder. Marseille’s players picked up the pace and managed to take the lead just about ten minutes later. Aubameyang delivered an excellent cross, and Hojbjerg bowed in front of the visitors’ goal and sent the ball into the net.

It looked like Olympique would achieve their goal. Toulouse hadn’t shown much in attack tonight, aside from Donnum’s moment of brilliance. But in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Santiago Hidalgo managed to shock the passionate southerners from Marseille. He reacted well with a header on a long throw-in from Mark MacKenzie. Geronimo Rulli should have done much better in that situation. He was standing far from the goal line, and instead of going for the ball—which traveled a long time—he allowed his compatriot to loop it over him.

Monaco upset mighty PSG and do Marseille a favour

It is hard to believe that PSG will face any serious competition for the title by the end of the season, but this goal could significantly impact the confidence of De Zerbi’s team. The fans were already planning which songs they would sing to celebrate the victory and the return to first place, but instead, their team again trails their biggest rival. That, however, does not mean Paris can relax. Lens also poses a threat, and with a win away at Angers on Sunday, they too could climb to the top of the table.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 14

Friday

Metz - Rennes 0-1 (0-1)

/Rongier 22/

Saturday

Monaco - PSG 1-0 (0-0)

/Minamino 68/

Paris - Auxerre 1-1 (1-1)

/Kebbal 32 pen - Diomande 40/

Olympique Marseille - Toulouse 2-2 (0-1)

/Paixao 66, Hojbjerg 74 - Emersonn 14, Hidalgo 90+2/

Sunday

17.00: (1.83) Strasbourg (3.60) Brest (4.40)

19.15: (4.60) Angers (3.90) Lens (1.80)

19.15: (4.30) Le Havre (3.70) Lille (1.90)

19.15: (2.50) Lorient (3.50) Nice (2.90)

22.45: (1.47) Olympique Lyon (4.30) Nantes (7.00)

***odds are subject to change***