OM performed at a very high level on the lawn of Lens and logically won (2-0) this Saturday during the 22nd day. Dimitri Payet opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first period (34th) and winter rookie Cédric Bakambu doubled the lead two minutes after his debut in his new colors (77th). The Reunionese playmaker, meanwhile, confirmed his excellent current form since by scoring his eighth goal of the season, he has already exceeded his total for the previous year. And then, above all, he was decisive in seven of OM’s last eight matches in the league (two goals, five assists).
Guendouzi and Kamara untenable, Bakambu already decisive
Jorge Sampaoli’s team, who had long possession streaks, had a remarkable start to the game under the impetus of an untenable Guendouzi: imposing heavy pressing, the Phocaeans monopolized the ball and completely stifled the Lensois , forced to play withdrawn into their camp. Except at the very beginning of the second half, OM showed great collective technical mastery throughout the game. The youngster Boubacar Kamara also made a very good copy, putting a little more pressure on his leaders as to his necessary contract extension, both financially and sportingly.
Entering the game in the 75th minute, Bakambu sheltered OM in stride by scoring from a tight angle on a caviar from Guendouzi (2-0, 77th). All in control, the Marseillais controlled the end of the match to win a totally deserved victory. The Olympians are firmly established on the podium and it will be difficult to dislodge them, especially if they manage to reproduce such performances.
After this eleventh success of the season, the fifth in a row outside, the Phocaeans climb to the second step of the podium with forty points, one length ahead of Nice, who travel to Metz this Sunday. But the Olympians still have a late game to play in Lyon at the start of February. Lens, for its part, remains temporarily in seventh place with 33 units on the clock, just ahead of the reigning French champion, Lille, beaten in Brest (2-0).