Cruel starts for Olympique de Marseille. For the first day of the Champions League, the Marseillais lost to Tottenham (2-0), Wednesday September 7. After a good first period, the expulsion of Chancel Mbemba particularly weakened his team.
Paul Lopez: 4
With two goals conceded for only two shots on target, the statistics do not plead in favor of the Spanish goalkeeper. On the first header from Richarlison (76th), he is not imperial at all when he seems to be able to push the ball away. On the second (81st), he can’t do much. His kicking game sometimes launched Marseille offensives in the first period, but he scared himself with a risky hook in front of Heung-min Son, without consequence (15th).
Chancel Mbemba: 4/10
His aggressiveness and his sense of anticipation allowed OM’s three-man defense to defend very high without too much concern in the first period. He recovered precious balls, one which could have been better negotiated by Nuno Tavares on the counter-attack (39th), another with authority over Heung-min Son (44th), who on the other hand overtook him before the break (40th). But he was logically expelled on returning from the locker room for a tackle in the position of penultimate defender on the Korean (47th). A poorly controlled and avoidable gesture which greatly penalized his team, weakened by numerical inferiority.
1 – Chancel Mbemba is the first Marseille player to be expelled during his first Champions League match with OM. Out. #TOTOM pic.twitter.com/OtXfO0bmeQ
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 7, 2022
Eric Bailly: 5.5/10
The Ivorian was expected in meetings of this level and the former Mancunian showed all his qualities. His speed and aerial play were essential in cutting off the English long game, which was trying to extricate itself from Marseille’s pressing. He was very present in the duel with Harry Kane by disrupting his deflection game. Warned for a challenge after the expulsion of Chancel Mbemba (48th), he then suffered in numerical inferiority.
Samuel Gigot: 4/10
Package against Auxerre, the central defender regained his place in the starting lineup. He made a very good start to the match, just like his team. Strong in duels, he reassured his defense with his authority. In the second period, he was at fault on both goals and particularly on the second, where Richarlison took the best of the head (81st). Replaced by Cengiz Ünder (87th).
Jonathan Clauss: 5/10
As usual in the system advocated by Igor Tudor, the right piston was used a lot. He had less slaughter than his friend on the left Nuno Tavares but was, on the other hand, technically cleaner, without making any big differences. He did the job defensively. Replaced by Sead Kolasinac (70th).
Jordan Veretout: 5.5
Holder for the first Champions League meeting of his career, the former Nantes player showed that he had the shoulders for this kind of evening. In midfield, he touched a lot of balls (78, match record) and made good use of them (57 successful passes out of 61, two key passes). He was also invaluable in recovery. Replaced by Pape Gueye (87th).
Valentin Rongier: 5
Behind Jordan Veretout, he is the player who has touched the most balls (75). Less precise in use, like his pass directly into touch after a strange combination on a free kick (24th). He signs a good return on Heung-min Son when the score was still only 1-0.
Nuno Tavares: 3.5
His activity was enormous on his left wing, in the continuity of his start to the season. A slaughter as much offensive – by signing the first strike of the evening (20th) – as defensive with a return in front of Harry Kane (34th). But the Portuguese had a lot of waste in his passes or his controls (five lost balls, match record). He suffered behind his back in the second half. First taken by Dejan Kulusevski (64th) before being too far from Ivan Perisic who sent the decisive pass on the first goal of Richarlison (76th).
Gerson: 4
Positioned high on the pitch to disrupt the London revival, the Brazilian was too discreet. His technical quality (27 successful passes out of 29 attempted) was good but he did not make enough difference with the pass or with his projection qualities. His silky ball in depth could have turned into an assist if Nuno Tavares had managed to take it back (42nd). Replaced by Leonardo Balerdi (50th).
Matteo Guendouzi: 5
His animation and pressing contributed to OM’s good first period. But we expect more from him in the offensive creation when his team dominates to this point. He still tried his luck three times. His first strike, countered, perfect well (32nd). Just before the break, with a sudden shot from 30 meters, he forced Hugo Lloris to parry (45th + 1). The only Marseille shot on target of the match.
Luis Suárez: 4/10
The Colombian was far too discreet (no shots) and never weighed on the London defense while OM, before being reduced to ten, were numerous in the opposing camp. He woke up a bit during the match by serving as a fulcrum, in particular thanks to his heading game. Insufficient. Replaced by Amine Harit (70th).