Trélissac - OM (1-1, 2-4 pens.): OM avoids the trap
NEW DECADE, NEW STARTING XI
For this very first match of the year 2020, l'OM faces Trélissac, a National 2 club, in the round of 64 of the French Cup. While several Olympians have been preserved (Mandanda, Sanson, Kamara), here is the team concocted by André Villas-Boas. In a classic 4-3-3, Sarr, Alvaro, Caleta-Car and Sakai make up the Olympian defence. In the middle, Rongier, Strootman and Lopez are in the starting line-up. Germain, Benedetto and Payet, captain of the day, occupy the offensive positions. Finally, Yohann Pele is the keeper of the Olympian goal.
Payet, FIRST SCORER OF THE YEAR
The first Olympic goalscorer of the year is Dimitri Payet. The man who also scored OM's last goal in 2019, equalised against Trelissac. Payet's superbly-placed lob from Rongier's inch-perfectly-placed opener sent Navaux out of his goal and chasing the captain's finish.
The 20th minute goal came in response to Trélissac's early opener. After only twenty seconds of play, Pele saw his clearance blocked by Diaby and ended up in the back of the net.
THE MATCH
After equalising against Trelissac, the Olympians quickly tried to equalise, creating several clear-cut chances. First, Lopez's lob grazed the left post of Navaux. Then, with a curling shot from Payet, which was cleared by the keeper of Trélissac. Finally, at the very end of the first half, Caleta-Car saw his header blocked by Navaux.
In the second half, the two teams were unable to break the deadlock. Despite having plenty of possession, the Olympians were not dangerous and were unable to find the breakthrough. In added time, Hiroki Sakai was shown a second yellow card, which meant he was sent off and suspended against Rennes.
Trelissac then sent OM into extra time, where they again failed to find the net. Rongier sent Aké deep into the box, but the striker, who turned 19 on 5 January, was denied by Navaux. Payet then struck from distance but his effort was blocked. So it was off to the penalty shoot-out.
Pelé DECISIVE ON PENALTIES
In the penalty shoot-out, Yohann Pele saved two penalties to send his team through to the next round. It should also be noted that all the Olympians converted their penalty kicks (Payet, Strootman, Rongier and Perrin). OM won this session 4-2.
ON TO THE ROUND OF 32
This qualification against Trélissac is synonymous with access to the round of 32 for the Olympians. The draw for the next round will take place on Monday 6 January at 8.15pm and the matches will take place over the weekend of 18 and 19 January. Before then, however, the Olympians will be back in action on Friday 10 January at 8.45pm with a trip to Rennes as part of the 20th round of the Ligue 1 Conforama.
