Olympique de Marseille won its match against Stade Rennais on Friday January 20 (1-0) to reach the knockout stages of the Coupe de France.
OM’s last triumph in this event, which at one time succeeded so well, dates back to 1989 and time is running out. But the Marseillais have the right to dream, because they are very solid and elimination from the Champions League gives them the energy to lead Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France head-on.
The Vélodrome had filled up to see Rennais and Marseillais explain themselves. That says the value of the poster, especially since neither the schedule (9:10 p.m.) nor the strength of the Mistral encouraged you to put your nose outside.
The approximately 57,000 spectators were rewarded with a show of good quality between two teams in confidence, OM remaining on seven consecutive victories and Rennes on a prestigious success against PSG.
But the five-man defense renewed by Bruno Genesio did not quite give the same impression of solidity as against the Parisians and it was Marseille who were the most dangerous during a first period when Tudor’s men seemed physically very fit.
Malinovskyi’s post
Sanchez on a dangerous back pass from Majer (4e) then from the head (17e) or Tavares at the conclusion of a beautiful movement (18e) thus threatened Alemdar, Mandanda’s replacement, but not as much as Malinovskyi.
Renowned for the heaviness of his shot, the Ukrainian, once again established, indeed gave a first example with a huge free kick struck from almost 30 meters and which rocked the left post of the Rennes goalkeeper (9e).
After the break, the game was more balanced and it was finally in one of its weak moments, the first of the match no doubt, that OM scored.
Tudor pleased with ‘serious match’
The goal came from a monstrous acceleration from Veretout over nearly 50 meters. Far too powerful for Majer, whom he left very far behind him, the vice-world champion served Guendouzi, whose shot, slightly deflected, deceived Alemdar (59e).
Every day new crossword puzzles, Sudoku and found words.
Player
Then, OM managed and then frankly suffered. Deprived of Mandanda, Terrier and Kalimuendo, Rennes bravely tried to come back but was not very dangerous until a strike over Assignon after an average exit from Pau Lopez and, above all, a center shot from Santamaria on the bar in the final seconds.
“We really wanted to pass and we are satisfied. We had a serious match in a tense game, ” declared Igor Tudor at a press conference.