OM-Qarabag: the favorites and scratches of our special correspondent

In Marseille

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• Calendar and results Europa League

• Europa League standings

Favorites

Milik, scoring machine

The debate is revived.

With his double on Thursday evening, he pulled OM out of the trap and proved that Jorge Sampaoli could count on him this season.

Author of 12 goals in his last 11 matches, the Pole has no equal in the Marseille squad since he is the only real professional striker... Enough to tip the scales on his side and to become a indisputable owner?

The ball is in the Argentinian technician's court.

Read alsoOM notes against Qarabag: Milik hitman, De La Fuente missing

Mandanda, grandpa is resisting

The public at the Vélodrome made no mistake by chanting the name of Steve Mandanda at the start and end of the meeting, a sign of a love dimension that did not take a wrinkled.

Holder for the first time since January 2 and a Coupe de France match against Chauvigny, the French international has largely fulfilled his mission with many stops to his credit.

At 36, with an XXL history with OM, he deserves to play the entire Europa League Conference.

Anything but pity but simply the reward of a monument that never gives up and deserves it.

Sampaoli takes up French

Although he did not perform the entire post-match press conference in the language of Molière, Jorge Sampaoli revealed, in front of the cameras of W9, that he was beginning to master French somewhat .

The initiative is to be welcomed and it demonstrates the desire for integration vis-à-vis OM and its supporters by the former Argentine coach.

Like its president Pablo Longoria who speaks 6 languages ​​and discusses with the media in French, Sampaoli wants to do the same.

Which is not the case for all technicians or even foreign Ligue 1 players, who have been there for many years...

scratches

The Vélodrome sounded hollow

Opponent not well known, prices not very attractive, school holiday period started, match unencrypted on television … So many reasons which did not encourage Marseille supporters to make the trip Thursday evening for the debut of their club in the Europa League Conference.

Just under 25,000 people were present at the Vélodrome, logically very empty in view of the expected crowds – outside the Covid period – since the start of the season.

Inevitably, the atmosphere was felt.

On the side of the stands, the only good news, the absence of friction between fans of the two camps (see below).

Read alsoQarabag, opponent of OM and the Armenians of Marseille

Konrad de la Fuente ERIC GAILLARD / REUTERS

Read alsoOM notes against Qarabag: Milik hitman, De La Fuente missing

Konrad de La Fuente aka Casper

Hopes for the start of the season with promising friendlies seem far away for the American.

Bought for 3 million euros from FC Barcelona last summer, De la Fuente plays the sidekick in the spirit of Sampaoli.

Established Thursday evening, he did not achieve anything good.

And really missed everything.

Either way, but the result is the same.

Gestures that are too forced, an easily readable game and a propensity to tangle the brushes.

A real ordeal for the young 21-year-old winger, clearly lacking in confidence.

A real difficult season.