Strasbourg – OM (0-1) : Realism and three points

5 CHANGES IN THE XI

André Villas-Boas has once again made some changes in his starting team. Among the five changes, two are the consequence of suspensions. Sakai was supposed to be suspended against Lens, but since the match was postponed (to a date not fixed for the moment), his suspension was postponed to this trip to Strasbourg. It was in addition to Alvaro's suspension. As a result, the entire right side of the defence was reshuffled with Balerdi in the centre and Nagatomo on the right flank.
The Portuguese coach also made three other changes from Porto move: Sanson, Payet and Benedetto were on the bench while Gueye, Cuisance and Germain started.

FIRST HALF

There wasn't much to get your teeth into in the first period. OM did not take a shot on goal and there were no shots on target from either side. Both teams failed to ignite the game and risk taking was rare. During the first 45 minutes, 18 fouls were committed, 11 by the Alsatian side and 7 by the Olympians, which resulted in a chopped game. Possession was in favour of OM but this domination was sterile.

SECOND HALF

Before the kick-off of the second half, André Villas-Boas made his first change: Sanson replaced Gueye. Then Payet and Benedetto took the place of Cuisance and Thauvin. The Marseille side still had possession in a match with little opportunity to score.

The replacements brought some improvement in the transmission of the ball on the OM side, until the first Marseille shot hit the target. On the left, Payet, although on the ground, managed to cross for Benedetto and he found Sanson. The half-volley of the Olympien midfielder went under the Alsatian goalkeeper's bar. OM opened the scoring on his first shot of the game.
Unfortunately, the striker came out a few minutes later, hit in the ankle. Strootman took his place before Khaoui also came on for Germain.

The men of André Villas-Boas trembled at the end of the match against the riders from Strasbourg who dared a little bit more, but without being really dangerous.

OM takes three points on his first and only shot on target of the match. Realism and efficiency were thus at the order of the day. In Alsace, the Olympiens signed their third victory in a row in L1 and reassured themselves after the heavy defeat in Porto. At least that's what it took to pass an international truce a little more serene.