Ligue 1: Jorge Sampaoli's OM start with a victory against Rennes (1-0)

The Marseillais, who remained on a fiasco in the Coupe de France against Canet-en-Roussillon, raised their heads for the first of their new coach, Jorge Sampaoli.

What you must remember

Forever the first ... This is the first time in the history of Ligue 1 that two coaches, in this case Jorge Sampaoli and Bruno Genesio this Wednesday evening, made their debut at the same time during the season.

For his debut in this late match of the 22nd day, Sampaoli was spoiled, if not by the content, at least by the victory, snatched at the end of the match thanks to a header from Michaël Cuisance (88th), who came into play shortly before instead of Payet (80th).

Thanks to these three points gleaned, OM returned to Metz in 6th place and relaunched for the race for the Europa League.

Obviously, OM are back in working order after the humiliating elimination suffered in Canet (N2) in the Coupe de France on Sunday.

Rennes, which continues its 5th consecutive defeat in L1, had almost hit the jackpot when Terrier hit the crossbar, after a school one-two with Guirassy (75th).

What makes successful beginnings ...

The coach: Jorge Sampaoli

Long down jacket - mysteriously stamped with other initials than his ("RA") - and dark tracksuit, the Argentinian, 60, was on time for his first appearance in Ligue 1, at the Vélodrome.

And even a little early, since he was several minutes ahead of the arrival of his players on the lawn.

Before kick-off, he did not fail to greet his counterpart Bruno Genesio with his fist, whom he had already faced in a double confrontation between Sevilla FC and OL in the group stage of Champions League during the 2016-2017 season.

Sampaoli, which notably included Nzonzi, Nasri and Ben Yedder in the Sevillian ranks, had taken the best (1-0, 0-0) and blown the qualification for the 8th at OL.

Once the game started on Wednesday, the little coach, known for his anger and his excesses, behaved with restraint.

However, he did not stop nervously surveying the rectangle dedicated to each coach, too small to contain his feverish movements.

𝐋𝐚 𝐥𝐞́𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 @SteveMandanda ✨

Il Fenomeno is playing his @ Ligue1UberEats 𝟰𝟱𝟬𝗲̀𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 tonight under the OM jersey 💙 #OMSRFC pic.twitter.com/TIaQi30Pdi

- Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) March 10, 2021

The number: 450

OM captain Steve Mandanda played his 450th Ligue 1 match on Wednesday evening. He became the 8th player to reach this milestone with the same club, the first since Claude Puel in Monaco in December 1994.

The reaction: Michaël Cuisance

"It's a relief, it feels good, but we're not going to stop at that," said the scorer at the microphone of Canal +.

We will adapt to the coach's system.

He will do us good.

It is the coach that every player wants to have who attacks and makes score.

He motivated us and made us want to.

"