Lorient - OM (0-1) : OM adds another victory

Turn-over

As announced during his press conference, André Villas-Boas has indeed rotated his squad to face Lorient. Left on the bench, Morgan Sanson and Duje Caleta-Car have been replaced respectively by Pape Gueye and Leonardo Balerdi. The Argentinian, lined up in central defence, is playing his third match with OM. The Olympien coach chose to renew his 4-4-2 diamond system, which had worked perfectly against Bordeaux. The Marseille attack, led by Benedetto and Thauvin, is completed by Michaël Cuisance, the number 10 regular. 
Before kick-off, all the players in the match respected a minute's silence in memory of former French goalkeeper Bruno Martini and Samuel Paty, a history teacher, who was tragically killed. The composition of OM: Mandanda (cap.) - Sakai, Alvaro, Balerdi - Amavi - Rongier, Kamara, Gueye, Cuisance - Thauvin, Benedetto.

OM dangerOUS FROM CORNERS

In a close match and in difficult weather conditions, the Olympiens proved to be more dangerous than the Bretons. If they were largely dominant in terms of ball possession (72%), it was from a corner that they could have opened the score twice. At the very beginning of the match, Thauvin hit a corner which Balerdi headed in at the near post. His header was repelled by Nardi. Later Kamara deflected the ball with his head, but the goalkeeper stopped him again. At the break, the two teams were back to back (0-0).

Balerdi SCORER

After the break, the pressure was on Marseille's goals. With a cross-shot, Boisgard found Mandanda's right-hand post. OM sounded the revolt. Amavi was pushed down the left side of the pitch and his free-kick from long range. Thauvin, with his baton, hit the second post. Balerdi took advantage of Nardi's confusion to head the ball in. The ball went between the goalkeeper's back and the post and OM led 1-0. His second was a good one and the Argentinian scored his first goal in the colours of Marseille.

OPEN SECOND HALF

Obviously, the opening score in favour of the Olympians pushed the Lorientais to discover themselves, leaving much more space. Confident after his decisive pass, Thauvin, with a magnificent opening, found Benedetto, whose header could not find the frame. The Olympians were well set up and gave the Bretons no chance to attack, and if there was a breakthrough, Mandanda did the job when he was called upon to do so. Morgan Sanson came on during the match and tried with a curling shot that went past the Lorient goal. In the end, OM won by the narrowest of margins, but it was a very important victory for the rest of the championship.

OM RISE UP THE TABLE

By winning against Lorient, OM signed a second consecutive victory in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, and took advantage of Rennes' miss to take the points. The Olympiens have an appointment on Tuesday, with the Champions League to compete in the clash against Manchester City.