OM: match notes –

In a late match of the 14th day of Ligue 1, OL overthrew OM (2-1) in a Groupama Stadium behind closed doors. Peter Bosz’s tactical choices changed everything, as did Moussa Dembélé’s entry.

OM could put OL out of the race, or almost OL, in the race for the podium this evening. Times have changed since their last unfinished confrontation on November 21 (14th day), caused by this famous bottle of water thrown at Dimitri Payet. The two teams met in a Groupama Stadium empty of supporters. In this strange atmosphere, and with nine points ahead of the rival, Sampaoli deprived himself of Milik at the kick-off, favoring Payet at the forefront and Luis Henrique on the left side.

Opposite, the Lyonnais, deprived of Kadewere and Da Silva suspended, Aouar and Denayer injured, Paqueta still in selection, Slimani on the start, and the latest arrivals Ndombélé and Faivre unavailable for this meeting to be replayed, did not make the weight. Hampered by Marseille’s passing circuits and the intensity of the pressing, they quickly found themselves behind. On a corner taken from the same place where two and a half months earlier he collapsed hit by the projectile, Payet found the victorious header at the near post of Guendouzi (0-1, 10th).

Winning picks for Bosz

There was certainly this departure behind the defense of Gusto (13th) but the Gones had the greatest difficulty in unbalancing a much superior collective. Guendouzi was even close to doubling (18th), while Lirola, alone against Lopes, made the wrong choice by wanting to play it collectively (32nd). Gusto also needed an effective return to Guendouzi’s feet to avoid the break before the break (36th). This second goal did not come either when they returned from the locker room, but the danger always approached a little closer for Lirola (46th), Guendouzi (57th) and especially Ünder (68th).

Until then, Lyon had only responded with an attempted lob from Cherki from 60 meters (61st). It was the entry of Moussa Dembélé, sick all week, who woke up OL’s game. With a real tip in front, the difference was immediately felt. Caleta-Car poorly secured his back pass but Pau Lopez saved his own twice in front of the former Colchonero and Caqueret (71st). Shaqiri also raised his voice and after two off-target attempts (71st, 73rd), he equalized with a header from this excellent cross from Gusto (1-1, 76th).

Tied on the scoreboard a quarter of an hour from the end, the meeting became a little crazy. Dembélé, again, narrowly missed his header (79th), then his attempt at an acrobatic return (86th). Caqueret prevented him Harit from arming his strike at the entrance to the surface (81st). There was a knockout smell in the air. Shaqiri also found Dembélé in depth, who offered himself a festival on Saliba before beating Pau Lopez with a dive (2-1, 89th). OL offer themselves an unexpected and stunning success, and above all, come back to within six points of OM.

Man of the Match: Dembélé (not rated): he changed everything. If he first stumbled on Lopez (71st), the n°9 then missed nothing, transforming almost everything he did into gold. Precious with his back to goal, strong in duels (4/5) and in keeping the ball as a real fulcrum, he delivered the people of Lyon by playing Saliba then Lopez with a sublime sequence of center forwards (89th), even passing very close to one of the goals of the year from a daring returnee (86th). The beautiful story of the evening, he who was still positive for Covid-19 a few hours ago.

Olympique Lyonnais

• Lopes (5): a frustrating game for the Portugal international. He quickly had to bow to Guendouzi (10th) but he didn’t have much to do in this disappointing shock without spectators. The European champion was content to help his partners in the ball recovery.

• Dubois (2.5): Here is another release that should be talked about a lot within the Gones community. Guilty on the opener of Guendouzi, who too easily got rid of him in the marking, the captain of OL delivered a worrying copy. Too tender in the duels, often late in marking, and authors of a few risky raises, the former Nantes player still gave the stick to be beaten, even if his cross for Dembélé could have turned into a decisive pass (79th).

• Boateng (5): the experienced German international did not have a bad game, without particularly distinguishing himself. He was often well positioned to repel the balls put in the box by the OM players. His slowness seemed blatant against the small opponents, without major consequences. Note that it is his superb opening for Gusto which is at the origin of the Lyon equalization (76th).

• Lukeba (5): the 19-year-old defender made a correct copy against Marseille. He made some decisive interventions, especially in his area (32nd, 88th), to repel the Marseille attacks. He generally managed the pressure from the Marseille attackers well.

• Gusto (7): very active and restless, it was the Lyonnais who was the most prominent on the lawn of Groupama Stadium. Enterprising, clean (96% successful passes, 2 successful crosses out of 2 attempted), he offered many solutions in his right lane, not hesitating to also dezone. His call triggers the equalizer for OL, where he is the decisive passer for Shaqiri (76th). Defensively, he was also very solid (3/5 in the duel), as evidenced by this decisive tackle at the feet of Guendouzi (36th). Replaced at the end of his physical abilities by Barcola (84th).

• Mendes (4): the former LOSC player disappointed in the midfield, especially with the ball, where he was not incisive enough and rough enough in the recovery, like many useless long balls. In the duels, he failed to get the upper hand over the Marseillais. He also badly negotiated his rare incursions into the Olympian camp.

• Caqueret (6): like his team, the Lyon midfielder has gained momentum. First transparent in the first period, he was then the first spearhead of this OL team, attracting all the balls like a magnet, throwing himself on the leather like a starving man to recover it. Note his decisive defensive return at the feet of Harit at the end of the game (82nd).

• Henry (4): in difficulty, both defensively and offensively, the Brazilian did not deliver a memorable performance at Groupama Stadium. The danger came a lot from his left side, and he did not succeed in any of the crosses he attempted. He tried to compensate for this bad evening with a desire and a commitment which has something to please the Lyonnais.

• Shaqiri (6): like Caqueret, the Swiss international gained ground throughout the game. Little in sight in the first act, he was able to annoy the Marseille defense by moving intelligently between the lines. He stood out more easily afterwards. He first warmed up his crampons by trying his luck twice in vain (73rd, 74th), before finding the target with his head to equalize (76th). The former offensive asset of the Reds then turned into a passer for the savior Dembélé (89th). Overwhelming.

• Sherki (3): like the whole team, he too went through the first act like a ghost on the meadow. He was almost constantly in the wrong tempo, while being too timid in dueling. When he returned from the locker room, the change in tactical system did him good, but he did not find the perfect formula to put himself ideally at the service of the collective.

• Emerson (4): positioned at the forefront to help out, the Brazilian had a lot of difficulty putting himself forward. His passes weren’t in the right timing and his lack of automatisms and lairs was sorely felt, even though he fought well. Replaced by Dembélé (64th), which changed everything. If he first stumbled on Lopez (71st), the n°9 then missed nothing, transforming almost everything he did into gold. Precious with his back to goal, strong in duels (4/5) and in keeping the ball as a real fulcrum, he delivered the people of Lyon by playing Saliba then Lopez with a sublime sequence of center forwards (89th), even passing very close to one of the goals of the year from a daring returnee (86th). The beautiful story of the evening, he who was still positive for Covid-19 a few hours ago.

Olympic Marseille

• Lopez (6): a part placed under the sign of vigilance, with a good exit in front of Gusto (13th) and reassuring interventions (15th, 25th, 56th, 64th, 72nd). The doorman then released the big game in front of Dembélé and Caqueret with a double parade (71st). Unfortunately, the ex-Romanista was completely abandoned on Shaqiri’s equalizing goal (76th) then came out at the wrong time on Gones’ second goal signed Dembélé (88th). He also always offers a recovery solution to his defenders by not hesitating to go out far from his cages.

• Saliba (6): the young French defender exudes an unfailing serenity, with interventions full of accuracy (12th, 35th, 45th, 56th, 63rd, 80th). The Gunner brings, by sequence, a touch of verticality to the recovery. Very solid performance apart from a strange missed header back (48th), finally tainted by this completely failed duel against Dembélé on the second goal of Les Gones (88th).

• Caleta-Car (3.5): announced at the start, the Croatian, rather calm or even on the verge of sufficiency for a good part of the match, suffered after the entry of Dembélé, losing several hot duels against the Lyon striker which could have been very expensive (71st , 73rd, 88th).

• Luan Peres (4): the Brazilian struggled with Gusto’s speed on the left side, often struggling to frame the young Lyonnais. With the ball, few frills, with simple and applied reminders.

• Rodier (4.5): active, the middle, precious relay for the ball outings, was generous in the effort. His offensive contribution, on the other hand, was far too neutral.

• Kamara (4.5): the kid made a lot of small mistakes in the midfield and experienced waste in the transmissions, but we can’t blame him for not having been in combat.

• Guendouzi (6.5): still very active, the midfielder quickly opened the scoring with a header from a corner (10th). His volley, above, could have earned him a double (17th). He diffused tranquility in the use of the ball and showed the example in the high pressing, as on these high recoveries (32nd, 65th) and his incessant offensive projections.

• Lirola (5): if he made a good return (12th), scratched an interesting ball (14th) and delivered a good cross (17th), the former Sassuolo then mismanaged a huge counter situation with numerical superiority (32nd). Sometimes less bloody with the ball at the foot, he still delivered a ball love to Ünder (68th).

• Under (4.5): the Turk brings essential movement to the Olympian attack. His good center back would have deserved a better fate (17th). He badly negotiates a superb ball from Lirola by missing his shot alone against Lopes (68th). Note his good defensive effort (42nd). Replaced by Milik (85th). The Pole did not have a single interesting ball to put in his mouth.

• Payet (6): in the position of false n ° 9, the Reunionese distinguished himself with a new decisive pass from a corner (10th), his 8th of the season in L1. The tricolor international, technically very sure, always seems able to create a gap (17th, 56th) and to put his team in the direction of the game

• Luis Henrique (4): for his 3rd consecutive tenure, the Auriverde spared no effort on the left wing, participating in the defensive effort. He delivered two good balls to Guendouzi (38th, 56th), but overall lacked sharpness. Replaced by Harit (70th). The Moroccan thought he could score his second goal before being taken over by Caqueret (80th).

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