after its European disillusion, Marseille concedes a draw in Metz

OM had everything, Friday August 18 in the evening in Metz, to bounce back after their cruel elimination three days earlier by the Greeks of Panathinaikos at 3^e qualifying round of the Champions League: a goal in advance, thanks to the opening of the rapid score of the young Emran Soglo (18 years old), and the numerical advantage after the exclusion in the 59th^e minute from Messin Ababacar Lô.

But this OM, Marcelinho version – the Spanish coach who arrived on the bench in the off-season – is decidedly fragile in this month of August and it is finally with new regrets and the point of the draw that he leaves Lorraine on behalf of the 2^e Ligue 1 day.

However, everything had started well for Marseille, launched in this match by his “kid” Emre Soglo. After a cross, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his recovery but the ball miraculously returned to the feet of the player who left the training center, who deceived with a shot at the near post the Messin goalkeeper, Alexandre Oukidja, uninspired (14^e). At 18 years and 38 days, Soglo became the second youngest scorer in club history in the French championship, behind Samir Nasri in 2005 (17 years and 199 days), according to statistician Opta.

VAR cancels two Marseille goals

Then OM got a considerable amount of clear chances, but failed to convert the one that would have allowed them to make the break. A player illustrated this clumsiness very well: summer rookie Ismaïla Sarr. He had first stumbled on the post after a nice control-strike sequence (2^e), then on Alexandre Oukidja with his left foot (7^e), before failing another attempt (37^e) and inexplicably delaying the strike when he had been very well served by Aubameyang (44^e).

The Marseillas managed to score a second goal, with a header from their captain Valentin Rongier (52^e)… before it was disallowed after consultation with the VAR for a foul by Sarr at the origin of the action. Already at the end of the first half, an achievement by Aubameyang had been canceled by the VAR, for an offside this time. The specter of the match against Pana was then more and more present on the lawn.

The Messins, reduced to ten per hour of play after the red card received by their central defender Lô for a sole on the ankle of Iliman Ndiaye, showed good opportunism: a deflected strike from Cheikh Sabaly deceived Pau Lopez, impotent (65^e), then Georges Mikautadze, top scorer last season in Ligue 2, took advantage of a blunder by the Marseille goalkeeper to score with a volley (71^e) and allow the promoted Lorraine to turn in the lead.

“Rarely seen so much bad luck”

Very fit at the start of the season, the Marseillais Vitinha, came into play at the 75^eequalized at the 82^e minute of a low shot at the near post. This allows OM to avoid a defeat which would have caused disorder. After two league matches, Marcelino’s players still temporarily take the lead in Ligue 1, on the strength of their opening victory against Reims (2-1) which wards off the crisis that was beginning to dawn in Marseille.

“I have rarely seen so much bad luck, the fate is a bit harsh on the team”blew the OM coach after the match. “I trust the players. We will rectify this situation”he added, pointing to the “22 shots, including five on target” of its players.

Taken aback in their preparation, and immediately suffocated by the schedule (four matches in ten days), Marcelino’s players will have a little more time to recover. But they must not delay any longer.

For its part, FC Metz, corrected by Rennes (5-1) at the start of the season, scored its first point since its return to the top flight after a very courageous match. ” We passed an exam for motivation, aggressiveness. We have increased our level compared to Renneswelcomed his coach Laszlo Bölöni. If I remain realistic and courteous, I say that Marseille dominated. But it doesn’t matter, football is 90 minutes and you can have a feeling of bitterness.