OM - Strasbourg (3-1) : OM into the quarters

A REDESIGNED 11

Compared to the draw against Angers (0-0), André Villas-Boas made several changes in the starting eleven as he recorded the return of three suspended players who were lined up against Strasbourg. Payet returned to his left side, Sarr to his right-back position and Kamara was positioned as a defensive midfielder in front of the defence. Another change was the appointment of Germain to replace Benedetto, who was injured.

SARR'S RUSH

The first period was rich in opportunities. In the second minute, Radonjic, who was in an ideal position to score from a deep pass from Lopez, opened his foot too wide and missed the target. Rongier took the ball from Liénard's feet but his shot was saved by Kamara, the Alsatian keeper. The latter won another duel with Radonjic in the 22nd minute. Then Mandanda came to the fore when Sissoko's shot from the edge of the area was cleared by Sissoko.
Then came Sarr's lightning bolt. A starter on the right of the defence, he reminded everyone that he still has attacking reflexes, his former position. On his side, he picked up the ball and went through three opponents, including two double contacts, before sinking into the box and firing in a left-footed shot. Unstoppable for RCSA goalkeeper Kamara!

A PENALTY TO DOUBLE THE SCORE

Shortly before the break, the referee awarded a penalty for OM. Payet immediately took the ball into his hands. He, who had missed a penalty and a penalty kick against the same Kamara in Strasbourg's Coupe de la Ligue Round of 16 last season (on 18 December 2018 at the Orange Vélodrome that resulted in an OM elimination) did not tremble and perfectly scored Marseille's second goal.

Strasbourg HIT BACK

Just before the hour mark, while OM continued to control the game, Strasbourg came back into the game with a collective action initiated by Lala and Sissoko and then concluded by Waris whose shot was saved by Mandanda but Corgnet followed up and pushed the ball into the net.
L'OM could have taken shelter by scoring a third goal but the goalkeeper won another one-on-one in front of Radonjic, who made his mark before giving way to Khaoui.
As Strasbourg pushed for extra time, on a counter-attack, Kamara finally sealed Marseille's success by scoring Marseille's third goal to the delight of the 29,589 spectators in attendance.

DRAW THURSDAY NIGHT

Qualified for the quarter-finals of the French Cup after their success against Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace, the Olympians will have to wait until Thursday evening to find out their opponents in the next round. The draw for the quarter-finals will take place on Thursday on France3's "Tout le sport" programme before the last match of the French Cup Round of 16, Nice-Lyon.
OM's opponents could be : Belfort (N2), Rennes, Dijon, Saint-Etienne, Paris SG, Epinal (N2) or the qualifier of the Nice-Lyon match.

The matches will take place on either 11 or 12 February 2020.