With a masterpiece by Dieng, OM won at La Meinau and once again became the runner-up for PSG in Ligue 1

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A week after its home defeat against Brest (1-2), Olympique de Marseille reacted perfectly, Sunday, December 12, against Strasbourg, on the occasion of the 18th day of Ligue 1.

Faced with a direct competitor at the top of the table, Jorge Sampaoli’s men managed to snatch their success thanks to a splendid goal signed by Bamba Dieng shortly after the hour mark and a header from Caleta-Car at the end of game (0-2). Thanks to Rennes’ defeat against Nice (1-2) earlier in the afternoon, OM took back the runner-up to PSG, with still a match to replay against Lyon.

The match: a round of observation before stinging, OM played it effectively against Strasbourg

For 45 minutes, we thought that this shock from the top of the table – without really seeming to, it must be admitted – was going to give birth to a mouse. Perhaps the stake has, a little, paralyzed the premises, who had the opportunity to overtake their evening opponent in the standings. Perhaps also that the defensive strategy put in place by Jorge Sampaoli initially had no other goal than to take the point of a draw against a Strasbourg in full flurry (six consecutive games without defeat in Ligue 1, and last two convincing success against Bordeaux (5-2) and Nice (0-3)).

With zero shooting on target at the break, it is difficult to ignite and identify a trend as to the possible winner of this meeting. Fortunately, the second period will be more lively and will warm the spectators of the Meinau. Bamba Dieng is the first to shine just after the return from the locker room but his strike low to the ground does not shake Matz Sels (46th). A few minutes later, it is Ludovic Ajorque who tries to answer him with a curled shot from the right, again well captured by Pau Lopez (50th).

Then a flash of genius arose shortly after the hour mark. On a lightning counterattack from OM, Dimitri Payet shifts Luis Henrique to the right side. The Brazilian achieves a perfect cross towards Bamba Dieng. It was then that the Senegalese took off to snap a sublime scissor with his right foot which left Sels frozen on his line (0-1, 62nd). A marvel that rewards the tactical plan of the Argentine coach. Effective, the Marseillais are also lucky on a miss of Ajorque at close range on a center from the left (76th). The Strasbourg people do not arrive there and, in the last minutes, cash the goal of the break on a corner of Payet which finds the head of Caleta-Car (0-2, 82nd). OM inflicted the third home defeat of the season on Racing and moved back to second place, just behind the Parisian enemy.

The player: Bamba Dieng back in the light

For occasional followers of the French championship, Bamba Dieng was especially remembered for his superb double in Monaco on September 11 (0-2), for his second appearance only with the OM jersey. A week later, he scored his third achievement against Rennes (2-0) and thrilled Marseille fans, at the time still orphaned by their official scorer Arkiadusz Milik.

Then, apart from a full match against Angers on September 22, the Senegalese gradually saw his playing time reduced with the first team. Less efficient and barred by the offensive organization without real 9 set up by Sampaoli, Dieng made his debut in C3 but no longer really distinguished himself. This Sunday, his presence on the meadow at La Meinau looks more like a tactical blow attempted by the Argentinian coach than full confidence given by his coach. Shifted to the left side, always with Payet at the forefront, it was he who was the most mobile on the Marseille side, the only one to get second-hand scraps like in the 26th minute without however managing to find the framework. Until his masterpiece in the 62nd minute. Brilliant inspiration that shows the 21-year-old has no doubts and still has some in the trunk. A message received five out of five by Sampaoli, who will salute the fantastic “golazo” of the man of the match.

The stat ‘: Marseille manages to break again

It had been 11 games in all competitions that William Saliba’s teammates had not won with two goals behind. An illustration of the tactical rigor of Jorge Sampaoli but also of the inability of the Marseillais to make the break. This Sunday, it’s Duje Caleta-Car who rose in the air to bring down this dirty statistic. If this is probably not the one that the Phocéens will remember after this success against Strasbourg, it testifies to a new efficiency for the second in Ligue 1.


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