Dimitri Payet was hoping for a great party for his 100th goal in Ligue 1, he was treated to grimace soup. It must be said that OM broke a few good series by losing at the Vélodrome against AC Ajaccio, Saturday October 8 (1-2), during the 10th day. First defeat of the season in Ligue 1, first loss at home in the league since May 1, 2022 against Lyon (0-3), first defeat after opening the scoring in L1 since February 1, 2022 against Lyon (1-2). ..
This poor performance could leave traces, while the month of October will be decisive for the European future of the Marseillais (Wednesday on the ground of Sporting Portugal, and October 26 in Frankfurt), and already essential on the French scene ( the Classic at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, then the Lens reception on October 22).
Beaten at the weakness game
“We did not imagine remaining undefeated all season, but it is sure that it is hard to lose at home against the last one.” The bitterness of Igor Tudor, in a press conference, was palpable after the match. In fact, the‘AC Ajaccio framed a shot, and scored two goals. Olympique de Marseille did not lose after being dominated by their evening opponent. The Corsicans had the merit of showing a lot of solidarity, and maximum efficiency. Bevic Moussiti-Oko converted the only shot on target for the Corsican side. The Ile de Beauté club also took advantage of a boost from Balerdi to, quite miraculously, score twice against a still feverish Marseille defense.
⏱ 90′ | #OMACA 1️⃣-2️⃣
End of the match, see you on Wednesday 12/10 for #SCPOM pic.twitter.com/JitgloQe08
– Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) October 8, 2022
“You have to raise your head and start again. The team had prepared the game well and I felt it well for the first 15 minutes. Ajaccio deserved their victory and we did not play well”; recognized Igor Tudor after the collective bankruptcy of his training.
An unconvincing rotation
Igor Tudor had decided to rotate his workforce for the reception of the Ajaccian red lantern on Saturday. Only Balerdi, Mbemba, Tavares and Sanchez, holders this evening, were present at the start on Tuesday, during the success against Sporting Lisbon (4-1) in the Champions League. A choice that did not pay off, Mbemba being behind on the first Corsican goal and Balerdi taking charge of scoring the Ajaccio victory goal against his side. The absences of Jonathan Clauss and Mattéo Guendouzi did not go unnoticed. Issa Kaboré, replacing the first, failed to show the offensive contribution and the quality of the center of his teammate. Pape Gueye, established in the middle of the game, was very discreet before being replaced at the break by Igor Tudor.
In front, Dimitri Payet scored his penalty and Gerson had a couple of chances to worry the opposing goalkeeper, but the attacking trio with Sanchez was sorely lacking in technical accuracy in the last gesture. “In fact, we only played 15 minutes, regretted the Marseille coach. We started well, but after the goal, our behavior changed, and even more after the equaliser. I said that you shouldn’t underestimate the opponent.”
An absence of rebellion
No matter how hard Igor Tudor tried to breathe new life into his team in the second half, the coaching was not winning. Veretout, Harit, Suarez, Ünder and Dieng failed to force the Corsican lock. “I had the impression that we didn’t really want to win, even among the substitutes.”bitterly regretted the Croatian coach of OM.
1 – Marseille had not lost a Ligue 1 match by suffering only one shot on target since April 3, 2016, in Bastia (1-2). CCS. #OMACA pic.twitter.com/7o6BemN8Zt
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 8, 2022
An absence of Marseille reaction which did not please him: “Even when you play badly, you have to have the will and the energy. There, I have the impression that even by playing 200 minutes, we would not have won.”