Ligue 1 09/04/2023
With an opportunity to go level with Lens and pull away from Monaco, Marseille fail to beat Lorient away from home despite dominating possession. Régis Le Bris saw his Lorient side defend well, and create a number of chances on the counter attack to take the game to Marseille, despite a number of injuries to key players such as Enzo Le Fee.
The first have saw limited chances for both sides, yet it was Lorient who tested their opposing keeper more than the Olympians, even if Igor Tudor’s side kept more possession, aided by an effective pressing unit. Igor Tudor’s side came out in the second half with more intent, creating a number of opportunities through Sánchez and Ünder – yet Les Merlus once again stood firm.
Le Bris’s side managed to create their own chances mid-way through the second half, as they looked to bypass Marseille’s midfield searching for balls in behind to Dieng and Faivre. Substitute Koné was even through on goal but denied smartly by Pau Lopez. Despite several chances, Marseille could not make their chances matter, as they draw their second match in a row.
Lorient Player Ratings:
Mannone, 5
Le Goff, 6
Meïté, 6
Talbi, 5
Cathline, 5
Yongwa, 5
Aouchiche, 6 – First start for Aouchiche in Orange and Black and looked an interesting prospect on the left hand side. Was one of Lorient’s creative outlets on the counter attack, sitting between the wide and the half space to receive the ball.
Makengo, 5
Ponceau, 5
Faivre, 5
Dieng, 5 – First half Dieng was dropping deep and helped out in defensive work, but also held up the ball and worked effectively with Romain Faivre in attack despite the opposition’s dominent possession.
Others: Diarra, 5, Koné 5
Marseille Player Ratings:
Lopez, 6 – A confident performance from the goalkeeper who made several key stops to keep Lorient at bay as well as some good timing to see that the draw did not turn into a devastating loss for Marseille.
Gigot, 5
Balerdi, 5 – Whilst the Italian was good in possession he was physically dominated by Dieng for much of the game, perhaps a sense of nerves symbolised with a comedic loss of possession in the first half which could of led to an opener for Aouchiche.
Kolasinac, 5
Clauss, 5
Rongier, 5
Veretout, 5
Tavares, 4
Ünder, 5 – Some great build-up play and involvement in the attacking phases, yet couldn’t produce a clinical final finish nor provide a cutting edge in his passing to pay for his endeavour.
Guendouzi, 4
Sanchez, 6 – Was key, as is becoming habitual with the Chilean, in OM’s build-up play. Whilst he started the first half brightly, he was nullified by a resolute defensive display from Les Merlus. However, this picked up in the second but he couldn’t provide the finishing touch to a busy performance.
Others: Malinovskyi, 5, Vitinha, 4 Bailly, 5
GFFN | George Boxall
