OM-ASSE (3-1): New additions steal the show!
Rongier & De La Fuente Make the start
Jorge Sampaoli made two changes to the starting XI to take on Saint-Etienne. Konrad De La Fuente and Valentin Rongier were put back in the line-up. The rest of the team was unchanged. Alvaro, Saliba, and Luan Peres formed the central defence. Guendouzi, Gerson, Kamara, Under, Payet and captain Mandanda formed the rest of the team.
Les Olympiens were encouraged by a full-voice Orange Velodrome.
The match also took place with club shareholder Frank McCourt in attendance.
The first half
The match started on a high note and offered two huge chances from the start. The first one came in favour of the Verts, with Mandanda making the necessary save. In just the next minute, Ünder broke through on the right and crossed, but Rongier could not put enough power on his shot. William Saliba came close to opening his account from a set-piece when he headed Payet's corner toward the far post. Sampaoli's men eventually opened the scoring, but Saint-Etienne equalised from a corner 10 minutes later.
Guendouzi's Goal
And it was Mattéo Guendouzi who sent the Orange Vélodrome into a frenzy! After twenty minutes of pressure on the St. Etienne goal, Guendouzi opened the scoring for OM. Ünder, a constant presence on the right, crossed for De La Fuente. The American saw his shot blocked, but the ball came back to his feet and he had time to pass the ball to Guendouzi, who finished with flair. The French international opened his account with les Olympiens!
By the end of the first half, the midfielder was not far from doubling his tally with a long-range shot that unfortunately hit the post.
Gerson Reclaims the avantage
Five minutes into the second half was all it took for OM to regain the lead. Gerson had plenty of time to adjust to Rongier's pass inside the box and scored the second goal. Like Guendouzi, the Brazilian opened his scoring record after having already provided an assist.
In their moment of attack, the Stéphanois came up against Mandanda, who was in great form and made two fine saves off Bouanga. Les Olympiens wanted to get to safety quickly to avoid the same scenario as in the first half. Ünder, all alone, scored the third goal with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. The Marseille players created more chances and the crowd was growing more and more wild. At the end of the match, Jorge Sampaoli introduced Pol Lirola, who came on to a thunderous applause.
Les Olympiens took the three points from the victory after a successful performance.
The international break
After four league matches played, it is already time for the international break. Nine Olympiens will join their national team to play international matches. The rest of the team will remain in Marseille to continue working and prepare for the next Ligue 1 match: a trip to Monaco on Saturday 11 September at 9 p.m.
