A thrilling second half at the Vélodrome saw Marseille dominate Lyon with five goals after a lackluster first period. Adrien Rabiot stood out with a strong performance, scoring a header and creating chances. Amine Gouiri made an immediate impact after his substitution, assisting in an equalizer. Lyon struggled offensively, with Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty being their only significant contribution, while their midfield was overpowered by Marseille’s superior players.
Tops
A Captivating Second Act
Who felt let down at halftime? Expectations were sky-high for this latest “Olympico” clash, yet the opening period left much to be desired at the Vélodrome, with both squads hesitant to take risks. As the halftime whistle blew, many feared a repeat of the lackluster performance. However, the second half unfolded dramatically, completely transforming the match. With five goals, countless opportunities, and a fervent atmosphere, what transpired was nothing short of spectacular. The last 45 minutes provided fans with one of the most thrilling segments this season, showcasing the beauty of football. The Phocéens asserted their dominance on home turf, clinching a well-deserved victory.
Rabiot Shines Bright
Let’s overlook the penalty he conceded due to an unavoidable handball. Aside from that, Adrien Rabiot was nothing short of magnificent at the Vélodrome. He was tenacious in the first half, making several key recoveries (four tackles) against Lyon’s midfielders, underlining his status as one of the league’s top athletes. Rabiot also facilitated chances, including a notable setup for Quentin Merlin early in the match. He was everywhere, touching the ball 42 times with minimal waste, ensuring fluidity in his team’s play. The second half, however, was where Rabiot truly shone, creating three chances and scoring a stunning header that put his team ahead. His solo run on the left side also energized the Marseille crowd, especially when he earned a corner. It was a stellar performance from the Phocéan midfielder, demonstrating his elevated level of play.
Gouiri’s Game-Changing Impact
Upon entering the match, he received a warm welcome from the knowledgeable Marseille fans—and they were right to cheer. After falling behind to Corentin Tolisso’s goal, Amine Gouiri stepped in for Nadir in the 58th minute and quickly made his mark. With one of his first touches, he penetrated the penalty area and had a shot blocked, which then fell to Greenwood for the equalizer. Gouiri was electric for the next 30 minutes, touching the ball 16 times, completing all his passes, and creating three scoring opportunities. He even took two dangerous shots, both thwarted by Lyon’s goalkeeper, Perri. The Marseille crowd embraced Gouiri wholeheartedly, and his presence is sure to benefit OM in the upcoming months.
Flops
Lyon’s Offensive Struggles
With just one opportunistic goal from their limited chances and a penalty converted by Lacazette due to Rabiot’s controversial handball, Lyon’s performance left much to be desired. Despite the narrow scoreline, which suggested a more competitive match, Fonseca’s side was largely outplayed. Their defense was commendable in the first half, maintaining a solid block that challenged Marseille’s attackers. However, they ultimately failed to maintain this momentum and struggled to pose a threat after Lacazette’s goal, overwhelmed by the relentless Marseille onslaught in the final fifteen minutes.
Lacazette’s Lack of Impact
While Lacazette made no mistakes with his penalty, firing a powerful shot past Rulli to level the score, he did not significantly affect his team’s overall play. In the first half, like his teammates, he was largely absent offensively and was not proactive in pressing, allowing Balerdi and Cornelius to control the game. Even as Nuamah began to find some rhythm on the left, Lacazette’s contributions to the attacking game were minimal. He was substituted for Mikautadze in the 79th minute, with little change in Lyon’s strategy.
A Struggling Lyon Midfield
While the Phocéan midfielders—Rabiot, Rongier, and Hojbjerg (with 102 and 97 touches respectively)—showed exemplary performances, Lyon’s midfielders struggled to make an impact. Veretout and Matic, both replaced in the 86th minute, were largely ineffective, touching the ball significantly less than their opponents and exhibiting a lower passing success rate. Tolisso managed to shine slightly by scoring the match’s opening goal and creating a decent chance from a Cherki cross. Ultimately, the Phocéan midfield triumphed in terms of engagement, dueling, and chance creation, a dominance clearly reflected on the scoreboard by the match’s end.