OM – Napoli : Analysis
The last team sheet before the championship begins
That is usually said to be the one that most closely resembles the one that will start the season. Is this in the habits of the new OM coach? We'll find out next week against Reims at the Orange Velodrome. Anyway, for this last preparatory meeting, André Villas-Boas decided to field a 4-3-3 with Mandanda, who was wearing the captain's armband, in the goals. Sakai, Kamara, Caleta-Car and Amavi were in defence. Strootman played in front of the defense with Sanson and Chabrolle in front of him. Sarr, Payet and Radonjic composed the offensive line.
Legends in the spotlight
The match against Naples at the Orange Velodrome marked the launch of OM's 120th anniversary celebrations. For the occasion, the Club invited many former players. Anderson, Huard, Boghossian, Buigues, Xuereb, Gransart, Pardo, Abriel, Beye, Roy, Cubaynes, Bonnevay, Caminiti, Laurenti, Asuar, Migeon, Buigues, Brando, Dos Santos and Boli were on the pitch at the time of the warm-up for a large family photo.
Alain Boghossian, the 1998 world champion and former OM and Napoli player, kicked off the last preparatory match before the start of the championship.
The well-stocked Orange Velodrome stands
It's the holidays, it's sunny and hot in Marseille right now. After a sunny day at the beach or in front of a barbecue, Marseille fans were present for this first outing of OM under AVB, in France. More than 47,000 spectators took their place in the Marseille stadium. Not bad for a friendly game....
The atmosphere was just right for the game and the fans gave their voices a boost from the warm-up and throughout the game. Congratulations!
Alexandre Phliponeau rewarded
Every month and at the end of each season, the Boulanger Trophy is awarded to the best player in the training centre. For the 2018-2019 season, the jury awarding this trophy has decided to nominate Alexandre Phliponeau as the OM Training Centre's best player.
Born on 26 January 2000, this Marseille native joined the training centre in the summer of 2011 from the Saint-Julien club. He then climbed bit by bit through the ranks of the Olympien squad. Last season, he was captain of the National 2 team. Alexandre Phliponeau signed his first pro contract with Olympique de Marseille on 26 April and was selected for the French U19 team for the Euro played this summer.
Before the warm-up against Naples, Alexandre Phliponeau received the Boulanger Trophy for the 2018-2019 season from OM Sports Director Andoni Zubizarreta.
The match
While the Olympians got their first chance with a Payet volley over a Sakai cross that went over, it was the Neapolitans who had the first shot on target. Mandanda won his duel against Insigne (11th). It was not until the 34th minute that the Marseillais were able to take a shot thanks to Radonjic. Three minutes later, on a nice collective move, Callejon headed back for Mertens who beat the Olympian keeper.
Less rhythmic and less aggressive, the second period allowed the two coaches to make changes. On the Olympian side, the new defender, Alvaro Gonzalez, participated throughout the second half. Germain, Sertic, Sarr, Lihadji, Rocchia, Abdallah also came into play. Lihadji distinguished himself by his technique and Rocchia by his speed, but there were fewer chances than in the first half. And nothing was scored in the final 45 minutes.
OM 0-1 Naples
Preparation match - Orange Velodrome
Attendance: 47286 spectators
Referee: Jérémy Pignard
Half time: 0-1
Bookings - OM: Amavi (52nd), Sakai (75th), Payet, (78th)
Bookings - Naples: Mertens (44th), Badge (78th), Maksimovic (90th)
Goal - Naples: Mertens (38')
Mandanda (cap.) - Sakai (Abdallah, 86), Kamara (Alvaro, 46), Caleta-Car, Amavi (Rocchia, 77) - Sanson, Strootman, Chabrolle (Sertic, 60) - Sarr (Germain, 46), Payet, Radonjic (Lihadji, 69)
Substitutes: Ake, Ngapandouetnbu, Dia, Nkounkou, Phliponeau, Pele, Khaoui, Perrin
