OM are halfway to the semi-finals
Favorites against the Greek club PAOK Salonika, the players of Olympique de Marseille delivered a more than convincing performance this Thursday evening at the Vélodrome. Second in Ligue 1 and engaged in a merciless race for the podium, the Olympians attacked this European meeting in the best possible way. Magnificently launched in the axis by Payet, Gerson went to deceive Paschalakis with a beautiful cross shot (13e).
Dominating, the Marseilles then continued to play their game, and shortly before half-time scored a goal which is perhaps their best since the start of the season. On a tense corner from Ünder behind, Dimitri Payet took the volley ball to send a cannonball into the top corner (45e).
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The Marseillais however conceded a goal by El-Kaddouri at the start of the second act (48th). In addition, Gerson who received a red card late in the game will miss the next game.
What makes their task more complicated on their return? Answer next Thursday. In the game, OM however showed that they had the arguments to claim a semi-final of the Europa League Conference.
OL may have regrets
For its part, Lyon had an appointment with West Ham in London for a quarter-final first leg of the Europa League in which it was difficult to clear a favorite.
In a first act with few chances, the Lyonnais cut a good figure by monopolizing the ball, even if they were rarely dangerous. Les Gones, however, benefited from the exclusion of Cresswell (45e), just before half-time. The English defender overthrew Dembélé who was spinning alone towards the goal guarded by Areola.
Therefore, the current 9e of L1 had the situation well in hand to take the lead… but they were the ones who made a big mistake. On a ball badly revived by Lopes, then badly cleared by Boateng, Bowen managed to score the opener, against the run of play (52e).
Back to the wall, the Lyon visitors reacted and began to press their opponents reduced to ten. It was finally Tanguy Ndombele who managed to equalize after a mess in the defense of the Hammers (66e).
At the end of the game, the Lyonnais pressed hard to try to take advantage of their numerical superiority. But despite a few dangerous strikes, the score remained tied. OL may have regrets given the scenario of the match. The Lyonnais will still have to raise their level of play on the return to hope to qualify for the semi-finals.
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