1st Team

OM's second pre-season match is in the books

Match Preview

Posted by

OM.fr

On Thursday 11 July 2019 at 07:14

Olympique de Marseille fell to Accrington in the second pre-season match (2-1). Again, the lineup featured many youngsters.

As part of the summer training camp in England, Olympique de Marseille played its second match in preparation for the Ligue 1 season against Accrington Stanley Football Club at AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday. André Villas-Boas's team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat just four days after a victory against the Stoke City U23s (0-1).

The first half line up featured: Pelé, Sarr, Kamara, Sertic, Amavi, Sanson, Gustavo, Lihadji, Payet (cap.), Khaoui and Germain. OM's first chance came in the sixth minute of play. Lihadji shot on goal after beating his mark, but his attempt was blocked.

Villas-Boas played a high-pressure while creating several opportunities. A Jordan Amavi cross from left side saw Morgan Sanson strike - but his shot flew above bar (15').

The Marseillais dominate the beginning of meeting but stumbled late. Germain and Payet came close, with a free kick that missed its target. OM again came close on a free kick from Payet. The French international dropped the ball onto the head of Kamara, but the crossbar rattled it away (24').

But it was the English side who scored the first goal of the game thanks to McConville. On a cross, the striker beat Pele with a strong header (1-0, 28'). A few minutes later, the referee blew for a foul by Khaoui on McConville inside the box. Zanzala stepped to the spot and converted (2-0, 37'). Marseille again pressed, with a shot by Khaoui (42'), but les Olympiens could not come good before half-time.

In the second period, Villas-Boas changed his team throughout: Pele, Sakai, Caleta-Car, Perrin, Rocchia, Chabrolle, Strootman, Khetir, Nkounkou, Aké and Thauvin. Chabrolle, with an ankle knock, quickly gave way to Mohamed Abdallah (52').

It was the 77th that finally saw OM close the gap. Off a cross from Sakai to Florian Thauvin - in his first warm-up match. His left-footed finished brought it to 2-1. The Marseillais kept pushing for the equaliser. But neither the strikes of Thauvin (82', 85'), nor the headers by Aké (82') nor Strootman (86'), or a Thauvin free kick could finish the job.

OM will play its third friendly on Sunday, 14 July at 16:00 (CET) against the Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox Park. it's another opportunity for the team to progress physically and tactically.