OM defeated by Rangers
Olympique de Marseille are continuing preparations for the start of the 2019-2020 Ligue 1 Conforama season. After the first two games against the U23 of Stoke City and Accrington Stanley, a tough opponent was offered to the men of Andre Villas-Boas this Sunday, Glasgow Rangers. OM lost four goals to none.
In the first half, the Portuguese coach fielded Mandanda, Sakai, Kamara, Caleta-Car, Amavi, Gustavo, Strootman, Sanson, Payet (cap.), Thauvin and Germain. The starting XI saw the return of Steve Mandanda and the start of Florian Thauvin, scorer against Accrington last Thursday.
Steven Gerrard's men created the first chances of the game thanks to two shots by Morelos (3 'and 13'). At the beginning of the match, Rangers multiplied their chances on goal and opened the scoring in the 17th minute of play. Coming from a pass from the Colombian striker Morelos, Candeias seized upon the ball to strike past Mandanda (0-1, 17 ').
Moments after the first goal, Florian Thauvin, feeling some discomfort in his ankle, was substituted in favour of Bouna Sarr (25 '). OM tried to create danger in the Scottish defense. The Marseillais were able to obtain four corners but struggled to test the goalkeeper (32 '). Payet responded to a Rangers' effort (35') by shooting from distance but the Marseille captain was unable to get his strike on target (37').
A minute later, Mandanda stands out by stopping a volley from Jones (38 '). But just before half-time, Candeias doubled the Scottish lead from a long ball by Jones (2-0, 43').
On the restart, the Rangers keeper McGregor stopped a header from Caleta-Car from a corner (47 '). Steven Gerrard's side - who finished second in the Scottish Premiership last season - rallied against the Olympian defense and obtained a double opportunity. Mandanda repelled a Defoe shot and Tavernier's attempt passed over the goal (52 ').
OM, under pressure from the vociferous crowd inside Ibrox Stadium, conceded a third goal on a corner via Goldson (3-0, 61 '). The opportunities increased on the Scottish side, with Docherty being denied by Mandanda (73 '). Defoe, from a diving header, scored Rangers' fourth goal on a cross from Ojo (4-0, 75').
Gustavo missed a chance to obtain a consolation goal for OM from the free kick but the Scottish goalkeeper parried the ball (85 '), while Khaoui's strike amounted to nothing (86 ').
OM finishes this first stage of pre-season in the United Kingdom. After a short stint in Marseille, the Olympians will fly to Washington, DC on Tuesday, where they will compete in the EA Ligue 1 Games organized by the LFP. The first game of Andre Villas-Boas' team in this American tour will take place on Friday morning 3:00am (French time).
Glasgow Rangers 4-0 OM
2019-20 Season - Pre-Season Match
Ibrox Stadium - Glasgow (Scotland) - 16h00
Half time: 2-0
Goals - Glasgow Rangers: Candeias (17 ', 43'), Goldson (61 '), Defoe (75').
OM: Mandanda - Sakai, Kamara, Caleta-Car, Amavi - Gustavo, Strootman, Sanson - Thauvin, Germain, Payet (cap.).
Entered into play: Lihadji (57 '), Sertic (57'), Khaoui (57 '), Sarr (25'), Ake (66 '), Nkounkou (83'), Khetir (83 '), Mohamed Abdallah ( 83 '), Perrin (83').
Coach: André Villas-Boas
Glasgow Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Jack, Davis, Aribo, Candeias, Jones, Morelos.
Coach: Steven Gerrard.
