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.
END OF THE MATCH | #RCSAOM 0️⃣-2️⃣
The good operation for our Olympians who won on the lawn of La Meinau and settled in 2nd place in the @ Ligue1UberEats ✅
Appointment in a week for the reception of Cannet Rocheville in @French Cup ! pic.twitter.com/n1EnjOI4Sw
– Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) December 12, 2021
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.
What goal Bamba Dieng #RCSAOM pic.twitter.com/4Dux2gKVpW
– Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) December 12, 2021