frustrated at the end of the match, OM held in check by Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg play-offs

The Phocaeans may have regrets. The French club conceded a draw (2-2) against Shakhtar Donetsk in Hamburg on Thursday even though it led twice.

SOS French club is desperately looking for a game plan. Olympique de Marseille delivered a disappointing performance on Thursday February 15 against Shakhtar Donetsk. The two teams part with a draw (2-2), from which it will be difficult to draw satisfaction, except perhaps the performances of rookie Quentin Merlin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It must be said that the opponent of the evening had no longer played in official competition for two months, against Porto (5-3 defeat in C1).

However, it is not an impassable mountain that has arisen in front of Olympique de Marseille in Hamburg. The Ukrainians, relocated because of the war and lacking rhythm, left space for the Marseillais, unable to use them. Nothing to reassure before the reception of Brest, currently third in Ligue 1, on Sunday. OM continues a fifth match without a victory in all competitions and will retain its relaxation after its two goals scored on Thursday evening (the Ukrainian response arriving in less than four minutes each time).

Not very precise, not very enterprising, not sharp especially in the first period with no shots on target, Gennaro Gattuso’s players especially scared themselves. In the 27th minute, a goal from the Brazilian Eguinaldo was refused after a surprising refereeing decision: a foul by Leonardo Balerdi whistled upstream. It was this same Eguinaldo who, ten minutes later, put pressure on Pau Lopez with a shot from 20 meters, ultimately off target.

Aubameyang and Merlin save the evening

In this fairly general slump, especially in defense and midfield, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang confirmed that the Europa League was his favorite competition with OM. The Gabonese striker, served by Jonathan Clauss, at the far post, scored the first goal of the match, on the hour mark (64th). His sixth goal in six Europa League games. He was also fully involved in Marseille’s second goal. In the 89th minute, when he took charge of eliminating the entire left side of the Ukrainian defense before giving the ball back to Iliman Ndiaye, whose entry paid off.

Quentin Merlin, the winter recruit, also stood out. At the oven and the mill on his left side, the former Nantes player could have benefited from a penalty at the start of the match (12th minute) on a shot blocked by Sudakov. He sometimes left a little too much space behind his back, but the full-back confirmed that he could feed the three attackers with good balls.

Everything has to be done again for the Marseillais who may emerge frustrated from this meeting. OM will host Shakhtar next Thursday. The Olympians, more comfortable at home since the start of the season, will have to be more consistent.