disappointing, OM loses but limits the damage against Benfica Lisbon in the quarter-final first leg

For a long time beside their crampons, Olympique de Marseille logically lost in the quarter-final first leg of the Europa League, Thursday, on the lawn of Benfica Lisbon (2-1), but remains hopeful for the return.

Adrift in the championship, the Marseille ship hoped to correct course in the quarter-final first leg of the Europa League, in Lisbon, Thursday April 11. However, on the lawn of Benfica Lisbon, Olympique de Marseille, submerged by the Lisbon waves, came close to sinking after the cannon shots of Rafa Silva (16th) and Angel Di Maria (52nd).

Logically trailing two to zero and with their heads underwater, the Marseillais nevertheless saved the furniture thanks to their strong man: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Weaned from balls, the top scorer in the history of the Europa League took advantage of an opposing error to reduce the score (67th) and reignite the flame on the Marseille side. A week before returning to a boiling Vélodrome, OM came close to disaster, but remains alive.

Aubameyang, and the others

Obviously, a defeat is never a satisfactory result. But the generous European Cup offers a return leg which allows us to set the record straight, and the Marseillais showed Benfica that they had the means. Because although it almost sank on the shores of the Atlantic, the Marseille ship withstood the shock, although patched up on all sides… A left winger by training, Luis Henrique, for example, played the second period on the right side.

The bronca received by the Portuguese at the final whistle resonated like a message of hope for Marseille. Because if the Benfica fans were irritated at the end of the match – like their players – it is because they know that the return match at the Vélodrome will certainly be of a different character. In sequence, OM also showed several signs of hope, in a second act of much better quality.

In addition to the reduction in Aubameyang’s score, on an opening from Ounahi poorly negotiated by Antonio Silva (2-1, 67th), OM ended up finding their way to the opposing area. Not enough, certainly, but it was Benfica who trembled on a recovery from Harit at the far post (73rd), on a free kick from Aubameyang just wide (85th) or on a firecracker from Ounahi (90th +3). And, first, it was Benfica who should have been penalized with a penalty for contact between Joao Neves and Aubameyang (57th).

Di Maria, him again

Despite the use of VAR, OM did not benefit from this twist of fate which would have been a welcome breath of fresh air. Because, at this moment of the match, the inevitable Angel Di Maria – often decisive against French clubs – had just made the break for the Portuguese, after a well-conducted counterattack (0-2, 55th). Rather harmless in the game, but much sharper and technically fair on the counter, Benfica thought they had got their hands on the match, and took a big step towards the semi-finals.

Especially since Rafa Silva quickly opened the scoring in the first period, with a classic double one-two on the Marseille left flank (1-0, 16th). Unable to hit on goal in the first act, and barely threatening from a corner, the Olympians then had their backs to the wall, before seeing Quentin Merlin join their already well-stocked infirmary on a stretcher, just before the break.

However contrary they may be, these winds have not completely carried away Olympique de Marseille, which now has a week to prepare for its return leg, at home, with a mission: to come back a goal behind, and thus open the doors to a semi-final where OM could meet Atalanta Bergamo, surprising winner of Liverpool (3-0) at Anfield. Proof that anything is possible in the European Cup.