The adversary was mysterious, the competition still fresh, but OM did not fall into the trap. Qarabag failed to bewitch the Marseille team, Thursday, February 17, in the play-offs to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League Conference. Without shining, Marseille took an option on qualification by winning 3-1 at the Orange Vélodrome, a week before the return match scheduled in Azerbaijan.
Jostled in the first quarter of an hour by a playful team, Jorge Sampaoli’s men took advantage of opposing errors to make the hole just before the break. They scored two goals in quick succession thanks to their striker Arkadiusz Milik, who confirms his return to form. Author of a double, the Pole is now the player who has scored the most goals with a club in the five major European Championships in 2022 (8 goals).
The number nine Olympian opened the scoring from a corner (41st), taking it twice with a header, while the opposing goalkeeper caught himself in a hazardous imitation of Superman (see below). Barely five minutes later, the central defender of Qarabag, Kevin Medina, revived directly on Pape Gueye, who transmitted to Milik, all alone at the penalty spot (44th).
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Perhaps already sure of having provided the essentials, the Phocaeans fell asleep in the second act. But it will at least have had the merit of offering a little exposure to Steve Mandanda, author of a nice parade opposite hand against Wadji (65th). Relegated to the background since the arrival of Pau Lopez this summer, the French international had not played since January 2, against US Chauvigny in the Coupe de France (3-0).
The 36-year-old goalkeeper ended up conceding a goal in the 85th minute, not helped by the passivity of his defense. But OM came out of their comfort zone to respond to the Brazilian Kady’s goal thanks to Dimitri Payet in added time, all alone at the far post after a cross from Bamba Dieng (90th + 2). Enough to offer a two-goal lead to the Phocaeans, who will have to keep it 4000 kilometers from home next Thursday.